Washington sentinel., 1898-06-25

other large cities in England. In short,
the so called Highland Regiments are
quickly loosing their nationality, though
fortunately not their esprit ae CORPS. AS
long as they wear the bonnet that will
remain.
1t is manifest that the chief cause OF
the state of things to which we refer is
that the recruiting capacities Of Scot.
land are greatly overtaxed. Another
cause is the improved condition OF trade
and the rise of wages. Still, more
soldiers ought to be obtained from a
race OF adventurous men and hereditary
warriors were proper steps taken to
bring before the inhabitants of the
Highlands the advantages of military
service. AS the result Of touring parties
from the Cameron and Argyll
and Sutherland Highlandets through
their reeimental districts, it was found
that in many OF the out of the way vii.
lagos more than an occasional and
single Highland soldier had never been
seen before, and that the country peo.
pie were quite ignorant of the con-
ditions of military service. The garrison
of Scotland consists as regards infantry
OF but two battalions. Only the other
dav strong detachment of the Cameron
Highlanders was sent TO Elgin to beat
up recruits, but only remained IN that
town a couple Of days. What IS reeded
is that an entire battalion should occa-
sionally, with pipes skirling and colors
fiying, make leisurely march through.
out their regimental district, stopping,
say, a couple Of days in each town and
visiting every village OF any size.
AS, however, there is frequently out
single killed battalion quartered in Scot.
land, such measure would only result
IN stimulating the recruiting OF one, or
at the most tUo, killed regiments, and
there are FIVE in existence. 1t would be
desirable, therefore, that the permanent
garrison ofScotland should be increased
by one killed battalion, which should
be quartered either at Fort George or
Inverness. The latter would be prefer
able, but there are no barracks at the
capital OF the Highlands capable of ac-
commodating battalion, and the ex.
penditure of a comparatively small sum
on Fort George would make the fine
barracks at that place capable of housing
a battalion in addition to the depot of
the Seaforth Highlanders. It might
also be possible to send annually bat
TALON Of killed troops to the Highlands
and Islands for couple of months tour
through its regimental district If we
need recruits, and we do urgently need
them, we must not grudge spending
money on getting them. The Scotch
man is fond Of adventure and warlike in
his tendencies; the great point, there
fore, is to bring the troops, entire bat.
talions, not merely small detachments
and isolated recruiters, IN contact with
the population, It is also desirable to
press the advantage of the army home
to the dwellers in remote districts. A
a matter of tact these advantages are
considerable, but are not thoroughly
appreciated. A soldier sees the world.
IS we'll clothed and fed, is tenderly cared
for in sickness, is well provided with
amusementss and has more pocket
money than his brother in civil life, be-
sides having openings for a good future
on leaving the army. Military service
is also now held in higher esteem than
formerly, and mothers and ministers of
religion are gradually freeing themselves
from the old prejudices about the de-
moralizing influence ofthe barrack yard
Let, therefore, the common sense and
the sentiment Of the Scotchmen be ap-
pealed to, and the number OF Highland
recruits will undoubtedly increase,