THE BRITISH BOYS' TRAINING CORPS.

[TO THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—The following particulars of a scheme in reference to which you have kindly permitted me to address you on pre- vious occasions will, I think, be of interest to most of your

readers, and I hope suffice to induce some of them to contribute towards the expenses of the undertaking.

"The object of the British Boys' Training Corps is to train boys in the duties of citizenship and fit them for a life of industry, as well as to show that a complete system of training can be organized upon a purely voluntary basis.

The Council of the Corps has no connexion with any political party or with any association for promoting compulsory military service. Its aims are—

(1) To demonstrate the value of military training in the moral and physical development of boys.

(2) To provide effective industrial training for those enrolled in the Corps. (3) To afford means whereby those who, from circumstances beyond their own control, are now debarred from obtaining permanent employment in the years of adolescence may qualify themselves for useful and prosperous careers in trade or in the Forces of the Crown.

(4) To render the Corps self-supporting by enabling its members to attain so high a standard of smartness and efficiency in drill, gymnastics, and kindred exercises that the public may be attracted to witness exhibitions in the nature of ' military tournaments,' and that an object-lesson of what is practicable and expedient may thus be provided for the country at large. (5) To assist the ' start in life' of ex-members by means of a Benefit Fund, formed from the surplus earnings of the Corps.

The Corps will, in effect, be a military and industrial boarding- school, organized as a battalion of infantry, and differing from other cadet organizations chiefly in the continuity and consequent thoroughness of the instruction given. Existing cadet corps are prevented by the conditions under which they are conducted from giving that intensive training which, in the opinion of the Council, is essential to producing the best results. Only by systematic methods can habits of discipline, orderliness, self-control, and initiative be fully acquired, and it is precisely in those qualities that the rising generation is so deficient. A full complement of properly qualified instructors of drill and gymnastics will be employed during the first six months of the train- ing, and thereafter of equally well-qualified industrial instructors. The military instructors, except those required to train recruits, will be dispensed with after the first six months, their places on parade and in barracks being taken by cadet non-commissioned officers, selected for the purpose. Similarly, the industrial training will eventually be carried on, so far as practicable, with the assistance of the senior boys. Tournaments in London and the provinces will take place only to the limited extent absolutely necessary to enable the Corps to earn the funds requisite for its maintenance. The industrial

training of cadets who have completed the preliminary .course of military exercises will always be the principal object, with which

no other will be allowed to interfere. The obligation to perfect first the -military and gymnastic training is imperative, for thit ensures the most effectual preparation for the industrial training.

A well-drilled boy has learned to concentrate his energy upon whatever task, may be entrusted to him, and that is the indis- pensable antecedent to proficiency in the workshop. The Commandant will make arrangements with the parents of the boys with regard to their religious instruction.

It is hoped that the British Boys' Training Corps may demon- strate the expediency of establishing similar institutions in many parts of the United Kingdom. The London Territorial Association has promised ' recognition' of the Corps, and the use of the Hounslow Hut Encampment has been unofficially promised by the War Office."

It is the intention of the Council to engage boys between the ages of fourteen and sixteen years. The number at first will be 400, but it is proposed eventually to raise the establishment very considerably, and to add artillery and mounted infantry units, so as to enlarge the scope of the "tournaments" on which the Corps will depend for its permanent support.

Meanwhile funds are required in order to raise the Corps and to maintain it during the preparatory stage of its existence. A member of the Council, who wishes for the present to conceal his identity, has given an unsolicited promise to guarantee £1,000, provided that a total sum of E15,000 is guaranteed or donated. The amount named would cover the expenses of an entire year, and is therefore more than enough for the purpose.

Actually the Corps will be in a condition to commence earning its own living by the end of the seventh month, when it is proposed to march from Hounslow to Birmingham. An experienced expert is of opinion that the takings of a tourna-

ment in Birmingham should average £1,000 per day.

The Bank of England (Western Branch), Burlington Gardens, will receive donations to " Account British Boys' Training Corps." Promises of guarantees may be sent to the lion. Secretary, Mr. J. C. Medd, 28 Hornsey Rise Gardens, N., or to myself.

In conclusion, I append the names of the President and Council :-

PRESIDENT : Major H.S.H. Prince Alexander of Teck, G.C.B.1 G.C.V.O., D.S.O. ComiciL : Mr. L. S. Amery, M.P. ; Colone. J. H. Annand ; the Lord St. Andries ; the Right Hon. Sir W; Anson, Bart., M.P. ; Colonel the Hon. A. B. Bathurst, M.P. Mr. Cecil Beck, M.P. Mr. R. A. Bennett ; Major-General Sir F. W. Benson, ; Lord Henry Bentinck, M.P. ; Mr. J. Buyers Black ; the Hon. Arthur Brodrick ; Mr. Alan Burgoyne, M.P.; Mr. L. H. Burnside; Lieut.-Colonel W. Campbell-Hyslop ; Sir William Chance, Bart. ; the Hon. Sir John A. Cockburn, K.C.M.G. ; Sir Henry Craik, K.C.B., M.P. ; Lieut.-General Sir E. R. Elles, G.C.I.E.; Admiral the Hon. Sir E. R. Fremantle, G.C.B.; Mr. W. G. C. Gladstone, M.P.; Mr. C. S. Goldman, M.P. ; Colonel Sir R. Hennell, M.V.O., D.S.O. ; the Right Hon. Henry Hobhouse ; Mr. W. E. Horne, M.P. • Mr. Rowland Hunt, M.P. ; Lieut.-General H. D. Hutchinson, ; Sir George Kemp; Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke, M.P. ; Major-General Sir R. Lane, K.C.B.; Sir Henry Lopes, Bart. ; the Lord Ludlow ; Mr. H. J. Mackinder, M.P.; Mr. N. C. Macnamara, F.R.C.S. ; Major- General Sir A. Murray, K.C.B.; Mr. H. Pike Pease, M.P. ; Earl Percy ; Lieut.-Colonel Alsager Pollock ; Mr. Henry Samuel ; the Lord Saye and Sele ; Mr. E. J. Solano ; the Viscount Valentia, M.P.; General Sir C. Warren, G.C.M.G.; the Lord Willoughby de Broke ; Mr. R. Yerburgh, M.P. TRUSTEES FOR " BENEFIT FUND " Major-General Sir F. W. Benson, K.C.B. ; Major-General Sir A. Murray, K.C.B.; the Lord Saye and Sele (Treasurer). Colonel Sir Edward Ward, K.C.B. Hon. Secretary : Mr. J. C. Medd, M.A.

It will be observed that the above list represents very many and various interests and political opinions, thus suitably

reflecting the national importance of the scheme. Prince Alexander of Teck has already a great burden of public responsibilities resting upon him, and his kindness in con- senting to be President is therefore the more highly to be

[We congratulate Colonel Pollock heartily on his scheme, and sincerely trust that he will be able to raise the funds required to make his undertaking a success. That if he can get the financial support he requires he will conduct the military and industrial training with zeal and ability we do not doubt, for he has a genius for training young men in the best qualities of the soldier, and possesses the power of inspiring them with the best military ideals. The presidency of that able and public-spirited soldier Prince Alexander of Teck, and the very remarkable body of men he has secured for his Council, should ensure public interest. We shall watch the experiment with sympathy, though we must point out, for fear of misunderstanding, that the Spectator is not officially concerned with the project.—ED. Spectator.]