[To THE EDITOR or THE "SPRCTLT01.1 Sin,—With regard to your
excellent "Call to Arms" in the August 15th issue of the Spectator, may I ask you whether you think the Empire would be better served by the addition to the Army of a few hundred schoolmasters, who for the most part have had no previous training, and the consequent idleness of the youth of England, or by the steady carrying on of education ? A schoolmaster myself, I am prepared to join Lord Kitchener's Army as a private or any other unit, in fact use a rifle to the best of my ability in any position; but shall I be really doing my duty better by joining the forces than by carrying on my natural work P Your call was to every one between the ages of nineteen and thirty, and quite fifty per cent. of the public-school masters are within those limits, so that, if they all respond to the call, education must be at a standstill. It would be impossible to fill their places from the ranks of older men, as schoolmastering is highly technical. My mind is doubtful as to what course to pursue, and I should be very grateful for your opinion.—I am, Sir, &o.,
SCHOOLMASTER.
[The need of the moment is a military force large enough and efficient enough to turn the balance on the Continent against Germany. Unless this is accomplished, not only are we undone, but human freedom falls with us, and above us flourishes a bloodstained despotism. In these circumstances our advice to schoolmasters, as to other men, is " Join the colours." It is not worth while to trouble about the education of those who may be slaves if we do not put forward every effort to destroy our enemy. Education is important, but freedom and independence a thousand times more so.—ED. Spectator.]
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