We may fill in this skeleton by saying that the
second line is to be three hundred thousand strong, and that the period of service will be four years, but a man will be allowed to withdraw before if he gives three months' notice and makes a payment of 25.—Subsequently Mr. Haldane explained that the County Associations might vag the con- ditions as to resignation.—The men serving in the second line will go,into camp for fifteen days where possible, though some may not be able to give more than eight days. In case of war, the second line *ill be mobilised for training at home .for a period of six months. The functions of the second•lihe troops will be to garrisen our fortresses, to repel raids, and to serve abroad if they volunteer to do so. The Couhty Associations are to be composed of the commanding officers of the Auxiliary Forces, under the presidency of the Lords-Lieutenant. The money for carrying mit their adminis- trative military work will be supplied by the War Office. To begin with, fourteen diviaions of the second-line Army will be commanded by Major-Generals of the Regular Army, but some of the Brigadiers will be civilians.
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