BILLETING OF SOLDIERS.

Northern Advocate, 1 May 1914, Page 2

BILLETING OF SOLDIERS.

In Continental countries, during army manoeuvres, the troops, as a general rule, are billeted on the civil population. In some calses householders supply food; elsewhere it is only necessary to provide shelter and accommodation for cooking.' The writer, of an article on "Britain and Her Army" urges that an extension of British billeting laws is indispensable for modern military training.and that such a step would at.the same, tme go far to lighten the financial burden which manoeuvres impose on officers. Practice; in distributing troops in billets would, he considers, be of enormous advantage; and he wonders whether the British public realise the cruelty of compelling weary soldiers to lie night after night on sodden fields after the exhausting operations. He adds:—The authorities know that a change is needed.but they also know the howl that would be raised in some quarters if it were proposed to invade an ''Englishman's Home." And yet in other countries this very billeting has drawn populace and soldiers closer together. Inhabitants often provide extra, food and comforts which are not demanded, and will therefore hot be paid for. Their uninvited guests show their gratitude by helping in housework. Kindly letters and mementoes are a frequent sequel. British Manoeuvre Commissioners have in successive reports testified to the troops' good behaviour and the excellent relations existing between them and the populace. Mutual acqu&ijritanfce Hegets mutual esteem! We can, however, understand the "coyness" of certain sections vis-a-vis of the soldier. Generations of soldiery after that which "swore so horribly in Flanders" have been, guilty oh frequent occasions of language, and conduct decent citizens. But ings, and theim^j»**t_ ; aining which! modern, military' have worked 'wonders; they will continue to do so!