WILLING ON CONDITIONS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2715, 9 March 1916, Page 6

WILLING ON CONDITIONS

« ONE SORT OF RECRUIT. Following is an alleged intercepted letter to the Secretary of State for War, published by the . "Westminster Gazette":— "My Lord, —Although 6orty->tliree years of age and in very indifferent health, I cannot- help feeling that I should be much happier in the present crisis if I were to become a- soldier., I am therefore writing to tell you that I am quite willing to enlist' in your Army providing that you can allow me one or two trifling concessions which my age and social position entitle ma ' in ,some degree to ask. "In the first place, as my complexion is so pale that ldiaki-colourod garments are most unbecoming to me, I would suggest that I should be allowed to wear the -uniform of ona of the Allied nations, the French.or preferably tko Eussian, as I am a great admirer of the Russian novelists. Of -bourse, I should leave the-final choice to you, as it might be more convenient to the War Office to provide me with a French, or even with an Italian uniform. "Secondly, as my dear mother mk;lit not be able to call at the barracks on your regular visiting days, I should havo to ask you as a special favour to allow her free access to my room at any time. Of course, she would not call later than 4.30 at present, as she is nervous of the darkened streets, and makes a point of being in to tea. I Quite realise that you would have to withdraw this privilege when and if I am sent to the front. "Thirdly, I have been told that you yourself think the war will be over in May. As I know my training will take at least six months, possibly seven, on account of _ a slight deafness which' makes it diffioult for me to follow in* structions at times, it would be a great relief to my mind to havo your assurance on this point. I enclose a stamped _ addressed envelope for reply, and if it is satisfactory, I think I can pro-mise-.you to enlist by the end of Janu-* ary.—Yours very sincerely, (Mr.) P. J. Wilkinson. ! "P.S.—lf lam rightly informed, and ' you are allowed to telegraph free bv the Postmaster-General, might I betr you to give me your reply about the duration of the war by wive? My telegraphic address is 'Bun, Chelsea!' "