288 Earl Roierts on Imperial Defence. [March 23, 



Army. How that National Reserve is to be created it does not fall 

 within the limits of my object or opportunity to-night to show. But 

 without it, believe me, no modern nation can stand upon a footing 

 of reasonable preparedness for war, or enjoy full security for the 

 maintenance of its territory and interests, and for the maintenance of 

 peace. 



In a few months from now it will be seven years since the first 

 blow was struck in the South African War. It is disheartening to 

 reflect how little has been done in that period to place ourselves in a 

 better position than we were then, and it will take a much longer 

 time than that to build up a sound military system, and to root in the 

 youths of the country the aptitude for arms and a proper feeling of 

 patriotism. 



There is a great and a supreme problem to be solved, and if we 

 hope to retain our vast possessions, and maintain the responsible 

 positions we hold amongst nations, we must have not only a powerful 

 Fleet, but an efficient and sufficient Army, composed partly of 

 regular troops, but chiefly of the manhood of the country. 



I give place to no man in my admiration for, and my belief in, 

 our Navy, but it seems to me little short of madness to suppose that 

 the Navy will always, and under all circumstances, be able to prevent 

 the invasion of these Islands, or to secure the defence of the Empire. 

 We must, as I have just said, have, in addition, a suitable Army, and 

 this we shall never get until the whole nation realises that it is the 

 duty of every able-bodied citizen to fit himself to take his share in 

 the defence of the country. 



It is because I fear that nothing short of a national disaster will 

 make the people of this country realise this — for long years of 

 immunity from home trouble have engendered a feeHng of security 

 which has no justification at the present day, and have induced a taste 

 for ease and luxury to which everything must give way, and which 

 causes the calls of duty to be felt as an intolerable interference with 

 their pleasure and recreation — it is because of this fear that I so 

 earnestly press for the boys and youths of Great Britain to be given 

 an education which will teach them their duty to their country and 

 imbue them with that spirit of patriotism without which no nation can 

 expect to continue great and prosperous. 



[R.] 



