The National Reserve, as a military asset of importance in
the scheme of national defence, received on Wednesday an official recognition which can only be described as of the highest significance. In answer to the Duke of Bedford, Lord Haldane, while describing the military forces which would remain at home in case of the dispatch of the expeditionary force—we quote from the report of the Daily Chronicle—used these words:—" Besides the 410,000 men left at home as an organized force when the expeditionary force has gone abroad, we shall have the National Reserve, which already numbers 70,000 men." Another report makes Lord Haldane say that the National Reserve " would furnish a body of capable men who might be relied on to give valuable assistance in bringing the Territorial Force up to its full strength." We may add that in his speech at the Fishmongers' Hall on Thursday Lord Haldane, in even stronger language, accepted the National Reserve as part of the forces of the nation organized for home defence.
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