New-York tribune., 1899-12-31
SUNDAY.
DECEMBER 81, 1899.
WAR NOTES.
A CALL TO ARMS ANSWERED WITH
ELIZABETHAN PATRIOTISM - THE
MARVELLOUS DEFENCE OF
THE DUTCH HUNTERS.

British soldiers the bravest of the brave, were
victims OF military mismanagement and red
tape, Charles Kingsley wrote Westward Ho!"
to inspire heroes in the field and in the hospitals
and disheartened nation with the memories
and traditions of the glorious Ellzabethan era
Marvellous the condolences of the two great
English Queens reigns. The men of Plymouth,
Bdeford Barnstable and Bristol. who went out
10 pillage ships ravage the Spanish Main and
found maritime empire rallied the nation be-
hind them. when the liberties Of the people and
the principles of the Reformation were menaced
in Englands Salamis. II is the same empire,
enlarged until II embraces a large portion of
the earth that is now imperilled, and the nation
is as resolute and as sincerely patriotic at the
close OF the Victorian reign it in the
palmiest days of Queen Bess. This week has
come the call TO the militia, yeomanry and the
volunteers to stand for the defence Of the En-
pire. and there is an outburst OF loyalty and
enthusiasm throughout England, Wales and
Scotland.
The army corps and the two extra divisions
which have been sent TO South Africa have
been stiffened by the regular army reserve.
From one-third to one-half af the Reservists,
men between twenty-five and thirty-f1ve who
have had regular service in the army under the
short term system. have been called out and sent
10 the front The remainder of this army re-
The enrolled strength of this body OF trained
soldiers is IS. S3gm men The percentage available
hitherto has been within a few points Of the
maximum. but it will be lower the men who
have been out Of the ranks for a long period
are called out The military authorities will be
fortunate II they available reinforce
ment Of 10000 men from the entire army re-
serve. About 10000 Of the Reservsts in
fantry soldiers, 5000 are Foot Guards, 5000
are cavalrymen. 110G0 are artillerymen and
5000 are enrolled with the Royal Engineers
The second line Of reserves is the militia.
small portion OF which has already been en-
bodied for garrison duty in the United King
dom with small details OF the line. Three
battalions have already volnteered for garrison
duty in the Channel Islands and in the Med
terranean and nine more battalions are in gar
rison service with the llnesmen The total en-
rolled strength Of the militia is 113,4G9 includ-
ing it's own reserves. The Ministry has an
nounced that it 8 calling out twelve more bat
talions and will allow nine Of the twenty-four to
volunteer for service in South Africa. The re-
sponse is immediate and hearty Battalion after
battalion now in service for garrison work has
volunteered for the campaign in South Africa.
There will be some delay in obtaining efficient
officers for the militia, but the rank and file are
already known 20 be eager for service In the
field Twenty -four battalons will be only por-
ton of this trained reserve, and 1t is evident
that larger drafts he made upon 1t II other
resources fail TIE bulk of the militia has re-
ceived infantry training. but about 10000 men
are enrolled as ;rtillerymen and engineers. The
militia is recruited from agricultural laborers.
mechanics. miners. artisans and fishermen.
About one-fifth Of the militia is In Ireland.
THE YEoMANRY RESPONDING.
The third line of reserves is the yeomanry,
with an enrolled strength Of 10207. This force
Is entirely English and Scotch, about one-tenth
being above the Tweed. 1t is body Of rural
cavalry, mounted on its own horses and fairly
we'll armed. This is a small but most efficient
auxiliary cavalry force. which will be Of great
utility in rough riding service in South Africa
1t is responding with loyalty to the call of the
Government. and it is probable that several
volunteer regiments will be rapidly recruited for
years service imperial yeomanry.
The fourth line Of reserves is the volunteer
force. with an enrolled strength of 23O67S men,
including over 10000 officers The bulk Of this
citizen army consists of Tihemen with infantry
training. but there are - 600 arterymen and
1900 engineers. The call for the organization
OF picked body of volunteers for South African
service has been followed by outburst OF pa
triotic ardor in London and the provinces. In
single day offers were received long way In
advance Of the immediate requirements of the
War Office. The colonels Of scores Of regiments
have sent in lists with thousands Of names Of
men who ready for foreign service, with all
possible dispatch; and corporations and en-
ployers o. labor promptly giving notice that
they will put volunteers for the half pay
and keep their places open for them upon their
return from the campaign. The Government
will have as large force Of volunteers It
needs al the first call and there will remain
behind well drilled army of citizen soldiers.
II accepts at the outset a carefully selected
company OF 10 rank and file, with four officers
from each territorial regiment Of the volunteer
force Each company will serve with the line
battalion in the field for a year, and will be en-
ployed mounted infantry.
The Ministry in the critical hour Of unexpect-
ed disaster to the British arms has made re-
markable demonstration Of force by appealing
to the patriotism OF the nation. The army re-
serve and the militia will probably supply all
the reinforcements which needed for Wig
orous prosecution of the war; but the yeomanry
and the picked body Of volunteers will provide
an additional body Of mounted troops which is
urgently required. The bulk Of the second and
fourth lines OF reserves will only be lightly
drawn upon: but the knowledge that the nation
has these large resources Of trained men at its
disposal for new emergencies and that re-
servists militia yeomanry and volunteers are
ready and eager to go TO the front, is a fresh |
and invigorating source OF strength. The great
battle for empire is renewed with patriotic ardor
when the nation is aroused and prepared for |
any sacrifice of blood and treasure, as II was in |
Elizabethan times. The bow Of Ulysses has not |
been left unstrung.
ENGLISH ADMIRATION ROUsED.
The Dutch republics have commanded the ad-
u1iration Of the English people by the splendid |
defence which they have made in what was con-
sidered at the outset an unequal contest. The
Englishman has his faults, but he has an in
stinctive love Of fair play. and he now ac-