NATIONAL DEFENCE.
[To 'THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—The police forces of England and Wales number rather over forty thousand; they are—almost all—in the prime of life; of good physique ; intelligent, steady, well-disciplined, fairly-drilled men. They are, therefore, eminently fitted to fill an important place in the scheme of national defence, requiring only proficiency in the use of the rifle and a very little extra drill,—these added, and they are fit to hold their own with any bodies of men, except regular troops perhaps, and quite fitted to defend their country against even them. Why, then, is there no Government proposal to utilise the services of the police when the War Office are straining every nerve to attract to the colours all and every man and youth they can by any means enlist F The expense would be as nothing compared to the Royal Reserve Battalions, and the protection afforded permanent instead of passing. There is one point in which a police-rifleman would have an immense advantage over a foreign enemy, and certainly over any regular troops, in this country, viz., his knowledge of the country,—its roads, hills, camping-ground, watering-places,
as from his training and everyday life and duties his acquaintance with all these is "extensive and peculiar." In the hope that the Government may yet take advantage of this splendid and ready-to-hand material, I venture to trouble you with this letter, promising, as I feel certain, that the response from the forces would be immediate and very general.—I am, [We most heartily agree with our correspondent, and recommend his suggestion to all who are now considering the question of National Defence. After all, what is wanted is merely rifle practice, for the police have already got the habit of obedience. It will be said of course that never would the police be more needed for their own duties than while invasion was expected. We would meet this difficulty by swearing in special constables in case of the great emergency. If our plan of making three years' previous military service a condition of engagement in the police were adopted, the use of the police for home defence would be still greater.—En. Spectator.]
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