Opinions.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7061, 22 July 1901, Page 4

Opinions.

A prominent Englishman has aroused much comment by a recent attack on the Imperial Yeomanry on the ground that small men and the inhabitants of cities make inferior soldiers. The London "Spectator " shows the fallacy,of such a theory. In cities numerous instances in history where nations of small stature haye overcome nations of larger build, and remarks that a regiment of Lord Robertses would not be a desirable one to meet in tho field. It is justified in its conclusion that weight and height have as little to do with efficiency in battle as with fitness to command. The smaller man is usually more agile and better able to take care of himself. The delusion about the inferior soldiering qualities of city men as compared with those from the country is equally without, foundation. The Spectator hits the main point when it remarks that the chief test of a good infantry soldier is the ability to walk thirty miles a day and carry his rifle easily. Man for man, the recruits from the city and from the country are equal in courage, but they differ in endurance. .The city is the place where men walk most. The business of many keeps them on their feet all day and at all seasons of the year. The city waif is out in all kinds of weather, while the country boy has little outdoor work to do during the winter or when it rams. There is much more routine in the country-man's life than in that in the inhabitant of the oity. He is more regular in eating and sleeping. The irregular existence of the camp tells on the former more than it does on the latter. In spite of all that may be said of the enervating influences of the city, there is no harder or hardier life than that of the street arab, who is usually ready to fight a country boy 50 per cent, heavier than himself. His growth may bo stunted and his face may be colourless, but he has more staying powers than the heavy and awkward country boy when it comesio matters of fighting or marching. He learns his duties as a soldier more quickly, is more resourceful, more" adaptable, and benefits more rapidly by discipline, exercise', and good food. To a considerable degree this is true of ' all classes of city recruits as compared with those from the farm. The Spectator is correct in saying that England could do much harm to its army by recruiting it on the. theory that small men and city-bred men are inferior soldiers.