IN SOUTH AMERICAN WATERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 100, 18 August 1914, Page 4

IN SOUTH AMERICAN WATERS.

Tli© special military correspondent «i the Christchurch Press considers Guv very significant is the announcement that a number of “mobilised” cruisers have been despatched by the Admiralty to South American waters, thereby nearly trebling the superior cruiser force already guarding those important trade routes. Mobilised cruisers are those which in times of peace are provided with very small crews of active service men to keep them efficient and in good order, and which have their complements completed when necessary from the Immediate Reserve. It is a curious anomaly that in peace the British Xavy has, more ships than can be fully manned, while in war .tliere.i is a good surplus of men after manning all the ships. . This apparently anomalous state of things ,is due tp our providing a fleet of h i certain size,,, which, ini war is manned l partly by active service ratings and partly, Ijy Keservists: 1 (a) Fleet Ros'Orvistsffthat ■k, trained men who dmve' returned, to civil employment and who ; undergo periodical training in Wder that they may 1 not become“back numbers” and useless, and (b) Royal Naval Reservists—seamen of the mercantle marine and fishermen—-and the Royal Na r val Volunteer Reserve. The Reservists of all classes can be called up only by means of a Royal Proclamation, and snclf a call is only giyen when Trent national peril threatens. The tfiidle of'the Reservists were, .so called up a fortnight ago."