INTELLIGENCE AND WAR.

Free Lance, Volume XIV, Issue 723, 9 May 1914, Page 6

INTELLIGENCE AND WAR.

Sir lan Hamilton's Very Sound Opinions. SIR- lan: Hamilton has been replying to' the sneers and disparagements of the various narrow or mistaken people who declare-that citizen soldiers could never stand against highly trained troops. He points out that intelligence is the prim« i requisite of a soldier, and that'"the counting of mere numbers is not an ennobling .sentiment." It is a heartening truth. All the world knows that the Boer farmers gave the trained troops of England a troublesome time, and that volunteer forces from the colonies and dominions greatly strengthened the British arm. The intention of a territorial army is not to stand against skilled forces throughout a protracted war, but merely to act on the defensive in case of invasion. Our own territorial forces, when once they are trained to efficiency, would easily repel any force that could.be landed against us. Seaward attack is another matter. In that respect coast fortification is the great thing needed, and even in that resT>ect we are doing very well. If Territorials do their duty in a right spirit, they need have no fear of their value.