ARTISTS UNDER ARMS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2335, 17 December 1914, Page 7

ARTISTS UNDER ARMS

INTERESTING BATTALION. A unique recruiting movement has boen begun in Loridon, with the result ■that a body of men, officially named 'The United Arts I'orco," has come into being. Professional men connected with the various arts—from the stage (operatic and theatrical), musicians, painters, eculptors, composers, conductors, authors, writers, and journalists, now numbering over 1200, who are pledged to assist in home defence against invasion of England should the need arise. Men whose names are household words may be sean drilling at headquarters in the grounds, of Earl's Court Exhibition. The new force was inspected , 'recently there by Major-Geuaral Sir Alfred Turner. Amongst the members of the new force are Mesßrs. Ayliner and Victor Busst, the Melbourne musicians, who in letters to thoir mother supply some interesting particulars of it. They say: "The United Arts Force has made wonderful progress in drilling, rifle shooting, etc., and a 'Globe , reporter who has seen them at work on several occasions stated 'that not even a detachment of Lord Kitchener's army need be ashamed of it? We are going to have an official uniform, which they want us to provide ourselves if possible. Sir Arthur Pinero is chairman. Lord Desborough, who is taking a very interest in the scheme, has kindly granted us the grounds of Taplow Court for week-end camps. It will include the very important facility of a 1000-yard rifle range. The United Arts Force, or Rifles, havo been given notice that they ■are expected to be ready for active service in three months. The Germans fondly believe England cannot raise another army, but they would get a surprise to know the truth. They certainly would not believe without seeing it that 1400 of us—artists of all professions—have volunteered, and are rifle practising, drilling regularly, etc. , , in fact, preparing ourselves to give them (the Germans) a cordial reception should they favour England with a visit. When I saw tho thousands of English going off so bravely to the front, I felt it was the loast I could do for our Empire to help. Am busy learning signalling, and Ret on very well with the semaphore and' Morse code, though the latter is the more difficult/' Mr. Victor Busst's home was in Brussels, and he and tis wife had to flee, leaving furniture, musio, every-, thing—-just turned the key and fled to England. Their chateau in the country, they have every reason to foar, has been used by the Germans.