27 JUNE 1914, Page 32

UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING.

[To =V EMT= 07 TEM ..SPHGTZTOlt."] SIE,—In your issue of June 13th yon speak of the need for some concrete example of a system of universal military training. May I point out that one exists, and has existed for hundreds of years, on British soil within twelve hours' journey of the Spectator office? I refer to the Royal Militia of the island of Jersey, without doubt the oldest military force under the British Crown, and yet practically unknown not only to thousands of the ordinary public, but even to many officers of the Regular Army. Here and there one finds vague, uninformed notions of its existence, but very little accurate knowledge. Though they are both included under the description of Channel Islands Militia, it is not generally known that the Militia forces of Jersey and Guernsey differ in important particulars. Jersey alone has universal training ; in Guernsey the Militia ballot ia in force. The Jersey officers hold their commissions direct from the King—a distinction granted, I believe, to the local forces .a no other British