THE "SPECTATOR" EXPERIMENTAL COMPANY— MR. HALDANE'S VISIT. To THE EDITOR.
OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIlt,—As many of your readers have no doubt heard or read elsewhere of the visit paid to the Company last Monday by the Secretary of State for War and the Adjutant-General, I think that some account of the proceedings will probably be expected of me.
I was confidentially informed on Saturday of the impending visit, and was at the same time requested to make no special arrangements, but to adhere strictly to the ordinary pro- gramme of work already arranged for Monday morning. I need hardly say that in the circumstances I was careful to avoid even rousing a suspicion among the noncommissioned officers and men that any unusually important visitors were expected; but I was obliged to make one slight alteration in the orders I had already issued, so a to ensure the presence of the entire company on the Heath. ' 'ad I allowed matters to take their course, one section would have been absent from camp shooting on the "90-foot range" at the barracks, and I therefore excused that section from 9 a.m. parade, so that it might get through its musketry practice before 11 a.m.,—the hour at which Mr. Haldane and General Douglas were timed to arrive. Actually the precaution taken proved to have been unnecessary, as the motor-car conveying our visitors broke down—as motor-cars are wont to do upon the most inconvenient occasions—and it was close on 12 o'clock before the electric tram set down the two pedestrians, who shortly afterwards made their appearance on the Heath.
The Secretary of State and the Adjutant-General inspected the men, questioning them as to their antecedents and as to their intentions after the training has been concluded, and then—after a few company movements had been performed—witnessed some extended order drill. The Company, marching in fours, was supposed to have come under the fire of distant artillery, to avoid the effect of which it " scattered " by half-companies. The sections then closed, and the column of route was reformed. Sub- sequently an extension for attack took place from behind cover, the leading half-company being at once extended, and that in rear extending subsequently in support, one of its sections simultaneously from "fours," and the other prolonging the line "man by man." The firing line being supposed to have been checked, the support advanced with a rush, carrying the former Onwards with it to the final fire position indicated in the instrue. tions I had given. Thus, the four sections became completely mixed up. The Company then "reorganised" behind the cover -which had been reached. This done, the sections were "closed" inwards, and subsequently assembled.
Physical drill with arms and the manual exercise were then performed very creditably, I think, more especially considering the fact that the men had already been on parade on a very hot day for nearly two hours—that is to say, since 11 a.m.—and had, moreover, been doubling latterly at top speed. On the conclusion of the physical drill, the Adjutant-General went among the opened ranks questioning the men about musketry, the parts of the rifle, outpost work, &c. As always will happen, it chanced that a few who knew little, or who suffered from excessive modesty, were asked questions which they failed to answer; but upon the whole the result was gratifying. I hope and believe that a favourable impression was made.
Had our visitors arrived at the time intended, they would have found one section constructing a trestle-bridge, one learning to pitch tents, one shooting in the miniature range, and the fourth, recently returned from musketry practice on the barrack range already mentioned, at drill. Actually the bridge had been completed, the tent pitched two or three times—so that all had had their lesson—and the section at drill bad been thus engaged for a full hour.
The unfortunate breakdown of the motor-ear curtailed the time available, and therefore the scope of the inspection ; how- ever, I trust that when we are next honoured, as I hope we soon may be, by the same visitors, there may not only be more to show, but much longer time in which to show it. As it was, after hastily swallowing a mouthful of lunch, the Secretary of State was obliged to hurry off to the House of Commons, and the Adjutant-General to the War Office.
I would add for the information of your readers that we have so far employed, up to to-day, the 9th inst., thirty-four and a half full working days, this total being arrived at after deducting Saturdays Sundays, the Easter holidays, and the Wednesday half-holidays. The results of the work done are as follows. Nearly all the men are fair, and at least half of them expert, semaphore signallers. The progress made in Norse signalling, with flag and lamp, is very encouraging, and in some cases truly remarkable,—this work is of course still in its infancy. The drill, in all branches, is much above the standard of Regular recruits of the same length of service. The majority of the men can answer any reasonable question on the construction of a single-lock trestle-bridge, pitching tents, outpost duty, and the other services of security, and elementary musketry, including naming the parts of the rifle. In extended order drill the men work with great speed and more than average accuracy—i.e., with- out loss of order—and many of them show an intelligent under- standing of elementary tactical principles. Nothing can exceed the willingness, zeal, and general good behaviour of all whom 1 have under me in this Company, and one and all are to me the cause of inexpressible delight. It is a common failing, I know, to mistake geese for swans but in the present case I am very con- fident that the lads we have here are genuine swans.
—I am, Sir, &c., A. W. A. POLLOCK, Lieut.-Colonel.
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