The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 13, 1906.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1807, 13 July 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 13, 1906.

LORD ROBERTS’ APPEAL. The sppeal made by Jjord Roberts to the nation, through the House of Lords, should arouse the people of Great Britain to a sense of their duty. To be told by such an eminent authority that tho nation is in a stato of unpreparedness for war must naturally uauso alarm, though it would perhaps not bo wiso to form any conclusion on the basis of tho meagre cabled report. It may really be said that in time of peace and quietness nc nation is actually prepared for war. All expect some warning of a blow being struct, and it is usual, wo know, when a nation really believes that war must eventually come, to temporise so that time may be gained in which to complete arrangements. Indeed it is well known that the adoption of such expedients to gain time has on more than one occasion ohuclually prevented a cvnlUct that

was imminent. Tho probability is that if Lord Roberts boliovod tho nation was so unproparod as Iris romarks would imply ho would have hositatod to make public his viows on tho sub' ject, and that all he is now aiming at is to arouse tho nation in regard to the training of men in tho same manner as is done by other nations, or if not in tho same manner in a way that will bo as effective should tho manhood of tho nation ovor bo called upon to act on the aggrossivo or defensive. War with a groat Power would moan that all who could carry arms would bo liablo to bo called on, and tho object Lord Roberts has is to ensure that every man will bo eltieient. Tho Boer war proved that even the professional soldiers were quite incompetent when the success of the day depended upon accuracy in riilo shooting. Their lack of skill in this respect led to gibes and taunts, and to many a weary withdrawal from positions that couldjhave been safely held, and even usod as basos of attack had the soldiers been skilled marksmen with the rille. Lord Roberts failed in his endeavors to instil into tho minds of tho people the noed for expert rillemon; his arguments were all acknowledged to be sound, but the necessary funds were not forthcoming to carry the scheme to a successful issue ; and now he has taken other means of showing the need for preparation. Tho necessity of conscription—an oftrecurring subjoct—has again been emphasised, and Mr Haldane has indicated that greater attention is to giveu to tho comfort of the soldier, which no doubt has a significant moaning in regard to the lack of well trained men. The speech by Lord Roberts will cause the nation to think, but wo fear that only real imminent dangor would effect the reforms desired, and that the sharp reminder now givon will be almost forgotten by I next week.