BRITISH TERRITORIALS IN WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3831, 14 May 1913, Page 8

BRITISH TERRITORIALS IN WAR.

WARNING BY LORD ROBERTS

‘A POSITIVE DANGER.”

LONDON, March 12

Lord Roberts, who will make a special appeal to working men at a great meeting at Wolverhampton on Friday, spoke yesterday to the captains of industry on tho cause of national service. The speech was tho result of an invitation by the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom, which met at the Hotel Metropole. The association considered resolutions dealing with national training from tho London, Dublin, Sheffield, Nottingham, Exeter and Australasian Chambers. These resolutions wero consolidated in the following:—- “ That this association strongly urges his Majesty’s Government and the leaders of the Opposition to consider the desirability of passing through Parliament a Bill for ensuring the adoption in the interests of the security of the Empire and the moral and physical welfare of the population, of such a course of universal training in discipline and arms for the youth of tho nation as will meet the urgent necessity for adequate national defence.” Lord Roberts said: “Someone said just now that tho Territorial Force was a failure. To this statement there was a little opposition. lam here to tell you quite plainly and frankly that, whether you all believe it or not, the Territorial Force is a failure. The original number of 315,(KM) men for the Territorials was based not upon necessity as regards numbers, but because the author of tho force, basing his calculations on the past, knew that it would be useless to look for more from the voluntary system. “Numbers, as we all know, are of no use without efficiency, and the Territorial Force as at present constituted can never be efficient. Let those who doubt this remember the lessons taught them by the French war, where they saw the havoc wrought on the French troops through lack of proper training. The same lessons were to be learned by the Balkan war, whore they saw the deficiency of tho Turkish soldiers. In that case there was hopeless demoralisation.

“WHEN THEY FIGHT.” “The same demoralisation will take place with, the Territorials if called upon to fight, and not through any fault of their own, but becauso of a lack of training. We are faco to face with great difficulties. At tho present time things are darkening around us. Armaments are being increased, hut we are standing still. “I regard ill-trained men as a positive danger. Put it to yourselves. Can you shoot, can you march, are you fitted to defend your country? Those are things that not a few hut exery man in this country should ho willing and able to do. You must make tho people of this country take an interest in the Army and make them feel it is their own—a vital national thing. “Not for much longer can I actively advocate the cause I have so dearly at heart. But I hope to gee the cause I have been advocating adopted by the country. Then I can take my rest and pass the last of my days in peace and quiet.” The resolution was carried unanimously.