LORD ROBERTS'S FIELD GLASSES i A RETROSPECT OF TWO YEARS'
WORK.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:] Sis,—Soon after the outbreak of the war, my father, Lord Roberts, asked the public to lend their glasses for the use of 'the Army. After two years I think your readers may be glad to have some particulars of the result of his request. Upwards of twenty-six thousand glasses have been received without reckoning those which, in pursuance of my father's suggestion, have been col- lected in Australia, the Malay States, and elsewhere, and issued forthwith to the local forces on their way to the scat of war. The instruments sent comprise every type and have been classified and issued according to the needs of different units. Particularly useful have been the fine prismatic glasses sent, which have been allocated to artillery and machine-gun units, according to their power; large mounted telescopes for batteries; deer-stalking tele- scopes for gunners and snipers; and good old-fashioned non-pris- metio racing glasses for detection of the nationality of aircraft, locating snipers, signalling by disc, collecting wounded, and musketry instruction. I am indeed grateful for the way in which my father's appeal has been met. British people all over the world have given their best, recognizing that, in spite of the fact that their glasses are on loan and that the organization for their return has been arranged, the chances of loss are many, and that they may never get their glasses back. When I think of the enormous numbers of good glasses sent it may seem ungracious to ask for more, but the demand is still great. I am told that at watering-places, and on racecourses and elsewhere, large numbers of glasses are still to be seen in private hands, and to the owners of these I would once more appeal. I should add that we have been entrusted by the Ministry of Munitions with the purchase of individual glasses from those who cannot afford to lend them, and that the address for sending glasses for either purpose is the same. Every good glass (except opera-glasses) and every telescope (except toys) is wanted for the service of the country. Address for sending: The Manager of Lady Roberts's Field Glass Fund, National Service League, 72 Victoria Street, S.W.—I am, Sir, &c.,
ROZI7L28.
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