"HOW CAN 1 HELP ENGLAND '
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sia,—The anxiety which we are now enduring may be for the nation either of two very different things. It may con- tinue to be what many persons now find it, simply a deadening loss of happiness ; or, while continuing to cause us all much suffering, it may begin to be felt to be a much-needed process of discipline for the country. It would be felt to be neces- eery discipline if the well-to-do classes would resolve that, so far as they can, they will make it impossible that England shall ever again suffer from at least one of the principal causes of the anxiety we have now to bear. The cause to which I refer is the belief that, if troubles nearer home should be added to the Transvaal War, England may find that she has an insufficient supply of men trained to bear arms, and possibly also an Insufficient supply of men fitted to receive military training. There is some foundation for both these kinds of fear. Our troops in South Africa have shown that they are equal in soldierly qualities to the best British troops of past times, and no higher praise can be given to soldiers ; and in the regiments still at home, and in our regiments of Militia and Volunteers, we have a considerable number of men equal to those in Africa; and in the civil population there are a large number of men who would make good soldiers. But the supply of strong men already trained is terribly small, and our population contains, I fear, a larger proportion of men rendered unfit for war by evil conditions of life than does any other Teutonic population. Even in the Militia and Volunteers there are many men little fitted for war ; and very few of the inhabi- tants of the crowded parts of our large towns would make good soldiers. Obviously, it is a very great misfortune for the country that a large proportion of its men should be incapable of becoming good soldiers, not only because it is always possible that an emergency may come when only by a large supply of efficient fighters can the nation be saved, but also, and chiefly, because the causes which unfit men to be good fighters unfit them for nearly all kinds of useful work and of healthy life. The bestial licentiousness peculiar to towns, drunkenness, bad air, overcrowded slum dwellings, all kinds of physical, mental, and moral bad habits, and lack of all good habits,—these things, which are the most productive causes of the common unfitness for military duties, are also amongst the chief causes of crime, pauperism, and all kinds of misery. But it is not only a great misfortune for the nation that a large proportion of its men should be unfit for military service ; it is also a great misfOrtune that this should be seen to be so by men of other nations. I have little doubt that the poor physique of a large propor- tion of the mass of Londoners and the absence of all signs of power to fight effectively, which Mr. Kruger and his companions must have noticed when they were in London in 1884, had something to do with their determine- ton to diiregard England's opposition to their schemes. The filling of England with men at the same time contented citizens and well prepared for war would probably do more to prevent trouble with other countries in the future than any further increase of the Fleet can do. Oar present anxiety can be turned from a curse into salutary, if painful, discipline in only one way. We must resolve that, as soon as possible, Englishmen shall not only be, but shall also be seen to be, as well fitted to defend their country as Germans are now. This resolution ought to be formed by those who value peace most highly, and feel most fully goodwill towards all their fellow-creatures. For although giving effect to it would involve drilling and arming most Englishmen, it would involve also causing all classes of English people to know the terrible cost of war, and the making by the well-to- do classes of most strenuous and sustained efforts to improve the mental and moral as well as the physical condition of the mass of the people. Hence this kind of preparation for war would be a training in healthy life, and the most efficient training which could be given to the nation to abhor unjust and unnecessary war.
The work which must be done if the object which I have indicated is to be attained is of two kinds,—(1) that which is needed to ensure, as far as possible, that those who are now children shall grow up into stronger, healthier, and better men and women than their parents ; and (2) that which is needed for the purpose of making the best of those who are no longer children. For the better training of children it is absolutely necessary that, at whatever cost, every elementary school shall be provided with a large playground, gymnastic apparatus, and with the services of well-trained instructors who will teach all the children the most health-giving kinds of games, and give them instruction in drill and in the use of gymnastic apparatus. Both for the first and second parts of the work, it is necessary that within easy reach of the dwelling of every able-bodied inhabitant of town and village there shall be an open space where he can receive drill and gymnastic training, and that near every town there shall be rifle ranges and large open spaces for military exercises. In the second class of necessary work come all the measures needed to enable all Englishmen who are willing to fit themselves for war to receive training, and to induce or compel the rest to receive it. I do not think compulsory continuous military service need be introduced in this country, but compulsory physical and military training certainly ought to be intro- duced at once. I am nearly sixty, and I am not a rich man, but if a system of compulsory training be established, I shall be glad to serve either as a rifleman or an artilleryman, and to give £1,000 of my capital towards the first cost of the system ; and however large a part of my income be taken by Government for the maintenance of the system, I shall feel that in making the nation healthier, better, and safer, the Government is doing more with the money for the welfare of my children than I could have effected by any way in which
I could have used it.—I am, Sir, &c., T. C. HORSFALL. Swanscoe Park, near Macclesfield.
[We have long been of opinion that the State ought to see to it that the breed of Englishmen does not degenerate ander the conditions of modern life. We would spend largely to give all our town boys the opportunity to develop their bodies and to get the kind of physical training which by the irony of our system we now only secure to the very poorest,---i.e., to the waifs and strays in reformatories or institutions like the Gordon Boys' Home.—En. Spectator.]
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