THE EMPIRE'S DANGER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 62, 7 April 1909, Page 4

THE EMPIRE'S DANGER.

SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL'S VIEWS. COMPULSORY TRAINING ADVOCATED. Christchurch, Saturday. Tile Times publishes a very interesting interview under the heading "The Empire's Danger," in which Sir William Russell gives his views on defence matters. Sir William said that he was a whole-hearted supporter of the scheme to establish military training. "Practically every nation in Europe." lie explained, "has decided to train and arm the whole of its male population, and it is absolutely, incumbent upon the .United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire to be ready to meet a danger .which, if not imminent, will at any rate .probably come upon us before manyyears have passed. Ido not think that Germany is building her tleet with the express purpose of attacking England. I believe that she is getting ready to •meet England on a day which must tome sooner or later, when she will incorporate Holland, and probably Belgium, in the Herman Empire. W nether England would consent to the incorporation of Holland is a matter upon which 1 cannot give an opinion, but it is obvious that if Holland was part ot the German Empire all lier waterways would be available for an attack on England. To my mind a war on those grounds is more likely than a'■wanton attack by Germany on England on a mere question of dominance. If there is any danger of war in Europe, England ougUt to be aot only prepared to meet her enemy on the sea, but also absolutely secure in case of an attempted invasion. Any system of volunteering will be ineilicient as far as that danger is concerned. It is not for me to say the amount of training that is necessary for the production of armed men to defend the country. The example of Switzerland, however, has sliown us that military .training is beneficial to the man both physically and morally. It does him no harm, as far as 1 can see, in any .possible wav. He need not be converted into a mere" soldier, but he can undergo the training that will make him an efficient Unit in the organisation for his country's defence. Ido not believe that that can be brought about by the volunteering system Only. Therefore, compulsory universal, training is the essence of tlie'position. 1 can believe that some system could be devised by people in England to drill the Englishman into the same state of efficiency as lias been attained by the Swiss. The Swiss army js officered bv men who have entered the ranks and have proved to be more capable than their fellows. Neither rank, monev, nor inlluence can secure exemption from military service. Neither rank, money, nor influence can make a man an officer. He rises simply on the nroality of his work as a soldier. How that would operate in England is another question, but there is uo doubt that universal service, enforced on the iduke's son, the cook's soon, and the son of every other man should be insisted .upon if the Empire intends to have a great national army. If England submitted herself to universal military (training, scares in regard to Germany or any other Power would practically cease, and although I think that it is desirable that New Zealand should for patriotic reasons offer a Dreadnought, the giving of Dreadnoughts would lie unnecessary, as no nation would dream of attacking England if her men were armed and traiaod,"

', "I feel that the same remarks apply |to New Zealand. The habits of discipline, obedience, ami punctuality that tare enforced upon every soldier would !be of great benefit to the young men pf this Dominion. It is a mistake that Ithe training 'of men alone constitutes Sin efficient safeguard. Careful organisation .is required. 1 do not believe Itliat at the present time the organisation in New Zealand is worth £l4, hiuch less the £140,00(1 it costs. We 'have in New Zealand some of the finest (examples of manhood that can be produced. The volunteers have done the Iwork under a complete system of neglect ever since I can remember. If we \wish to have a really efficient force — and that might be necessary sooner ,than we think—wo must have a thorough system of compulsory, training ■contingent upon a complete system of .organisation. I may be told that this (will interfere with young men entering iiipon their careers in life. That would not be so, as if every man physically (capable was trained, every man would the nniler the same advantages or disadvantages disadvantaged from my Ipoint of view—and there would be no lunfairness. In any cane, if the Swiss fsystem was adopted, in the whole course ■of a man's career he would have to do 'Je-s than s,ix months' training in order ito become an efficient soldier. We give lour young people free education, we give our old people pensions. 1 grudge neither, but I insist upon the principle that if people have claims upon the 'State the State has claims upon them, and the defence of home, family, and I ■country is every .man's first duty." ]