As our readers will notice in another part of our
issue, the Duke of Bedford has most generously subscribed 21,000 to the Spectator Fund raised to enable Colonel Pollock to carry out his proposed experiment in Militia training. We trust that in the course of the next four weeks the remaining 21,500 will he obtained, either in big or small subscriptions, and that before Christmas we shall have the pleasure of informing Colonel Pollock that he may begin his arrangements and collect his men. If we could only make our readers feel as strongly as we do in regard to the vital importance of maintaining and extending the Militia, we feel sure that the money would be raised in twenty-four hours. We hold that a sound Militia is essential to our military system. But we cannot get a sound Militia unless the Militiaman, after his preliminary training, can become a true civilian soldier, and only devote a small amount of time to his Militia duties. If Colonel Pollock can show the country that in six months a company of recruits can by a rational system of training be made into efficient soldiers, then we may feel sure that a week in camp every year, plus a certain amount of evening drill and rifle practice, will maintain the Militia battalion as a sound military unit. In other words, if the experiment succeeds, we shall be able to tell the nation with confidence that they can organise, and ought to organise, a Militia force under conditions which will enable a man, when once his preliminary training is over, to be both a Militiaman and a civilian in normal civil employment.
Beak Rate, 4 per pent.
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