VOLUNTEERING.

Evening Star, Issue 12943, 5 May 1908, Page 6

VOLUNTEERING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I had intended to leave this subject alone after writing my first letter, and had the latter been answered in a manly spirit I should have done so. but the acting secretary ofvthe D.M.I.R.V. has adopted methods in his reply of the recriminatory order, and in order to defend myself I. have to put him right. , His statements are misleading and inaccurate, and deserve only ihe most scatching criticism. The mis-statements he credits me with I am happily able to substantiate. To begin with, I -would ask : Who were the originators of the proposed mounted infantry corps, and to whom does the credit of the movement really belong? Again, Who was asked to take command of the corps when formed? It may not be generally known that a gentleman, who is not the present commander, was asked by Mr Slinger to resign his present commission for the one which he (Mr Slinger) now intends to hold. I would also ask whether it is not a fact that, when nominations for officers were first received, and two nominations were handed in for the office of captain, Mr Slinger withdrew his nomination in favor of the gentleman whom he had asked to take command ? It seems to me that the purpose to obtain higher rank can only be attributed to those men who were elected, as the gentlemen who were the unsuccessful candidates all held rank in other companies equal to the rank for which they were nominated, and after having given time and labor in the obtaining of that rank, is it likely that any man will consent to sacrifice the result of his endeavors and serve in a humbler capacity under officers whose experience, in at least two cases, cannot be favorably compared with his own?

The remarks made by the acting secretary with regard to the feelings shown and opinions expressed that the resignations would be welcomed are absolutely without foundation, and the result of the election was a perfect surprise. No comments whatever were passed, unless among the coterie of personal friends whose attitude was so much in evidence on the night of the election.

The large majority by which the first lieutenant was selected was actually P. and the second lieutenant secured election by a majority of 3 votes.—l am, etc., Active Service. May 5.