present conditions of war Great Britain must have a large
reserve of officers, that they must be scientifically trained, and can never be improvised. Moreover, the Army or its reserves must be larger, the privates must be better educated, in order that they may rely more upon themselves, and, consequently, must be better paid and guaranteed civil employment after their term of barrack life has ended. Lord Roberts rejects conscription as impracticable, not only because of the national temper, but owing to the scattered condition of our Empire of many climates, but earnestly advocates universal compul- sory training in youth, so that every male inhabitant of the kingdom should know how to shoot straight, and to carry out simple orders. That is the policy we have steadily advocated, though we have hoped that a popular impulse might take the place of direct compulsion.
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