COMPULSORY SERVICE.
To THY EDITOR OV THY " SPROTATOIC."] SIR,—It will hardly be denied that the welfare and the happi- ness of a people depend to a large extent on a full and abiding sense of security from any possible hostile attack. As in the case of an individual, so in that of a nation, success in the struggle for existence cannot be reached without complete confidence in the maintenance of peace. In order to exercise in the fullest measure his powers of usefulness in the world, a citizen must dwell in security, "no man making him afraid." Of the great nations of Europe there is only one—the Empire of Germany—in which that feeling of confidence prevails. Certainly it cannot be said to prevail in England in these days,----days in which a foolish and cowardly panic too often shows itself. The reason of this difference is not far to seek. The young German knows that he need fear no foe, need dread no invasion, for he and his comrades are strong men armed who keep their house. The young Briton, on the other hand, though potentially a strong man, is yet a man unarmed, who pays some one else to keep his house for him. There is but one remedy for this, the remedy which you, Sir, have so per- sistently and ably advocated, universal service, by land or by
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