THE UNION JACK CLUB.
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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.1 • Sin,—May I ask the indulgence of your columns for a few words with reference to the Union Jack Club, which is to be erected in the neighbourhood of Waterloo Station for the benefit of our sailors, soldiers, and Marines, and as a national memorial to those of them who died in the recent cam- paigns in South Africa and China? In spite of the publication of the scheme and of previous correspondence in the Press on the subject, it has, only within the last few weeks, been repeatedly represented to members of the Com- mittee and to myself, as a reason why donations should not be expected from the provinces, that the Club will be " Metro- politan," and that, as such, the scheme does not concern them. This is altogether erroneous, since the main object of the Club is not so much to benefit men stationed in the Metropolis (though they, of course, will be members), but more especially to provide reasonable accommodation for sailors, soldiers, and Marines staying in London on furlough, or passing through. In the course of a year about two hundred thousand sailors, soldiers, and Marines pass through Waterloo Station (which chiefly taps our naval and military centres), and these men come from all parts of the United Kingdom, while the majority of the soldiers belong to territorial—i.e., county—regiments. It will thus be seen that every provincial town and district has a direct interest in their welfare, in warding off the danger of their becoming stranded in London, and in providing a place on an adequate scale, and in a convenient situation, to which they will naturally go for rest and refreshment on arrival. Counties and towns have not as yet sufficiently realised the national character of this memorial, nor how it is especially needed by men of territorial regiments, though I am happy to say that a sum of upwards of £25,000 has already been raised. Great deeds have been frequently done in the late wars by many a man from some cottage home, perhaps without adequate ..ap.ounition, and known only to a few. Should not all gladly help to raise the necessary funds to provide so useful • a memorial as a national recognition of such deeds,—a memorial which will help the rank-and-file to feel that their services will never be forgotten ? Will you, Sir, give the Committee your kind support in correcting the above-mentioned misap- prehensioa.—namely, that the scheme of the Union Jack Club is one which concerns the Metropolis and its garrison only ?- I am, Sir, &c., ARTHUR HAGGARD, Major,
Secretary Union Jack Club.
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