Mr. Coulton, who spoke as a Liberal, pointed out how
ridiculous it was to denounce the policy of the National Service League as anti-democratic when it bad been adopted by two countries so strongly democratic in their Constitution and aspirations as Switzerland and Norway. The Dean of Durham, from his knowledge of the world of labour, spoke very strongly as to the need for discipline and physical training. Sir James Crichton-Browne, speaking as a medical expert, was most emphatic as to the necessity of some form of military train- ing. Military training was one of the most powerful moral agencies at our command. It would make our youths not only straighter and stronger. but more self-controlling and right-minded. We cannot leave our account of the speeches of the deputation without noting the very striking words used by Sir Evelyn Wood. Sir Evelyn took part in the attempt to storm the Redan. After the second unsuccessful assault, which was an assault carried out chiefly by boy recruits, the Times correspondent asked a wounded lad how many rounds he had fired. The lad replied: "None, Sir, for I did not know how to load my rifle." That was Sir Evelyn's pointed plea for training the men who may be called upon to fight their• country's battle in a great emergency.
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