The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-11
HOME Defense FORCE
PROPOSED FOR ENGLAND
Writers Suggest That Every, Able.
Bodied Citizen in Great
Britain BE Enrolled.
srst<m fin Vogue at Time Of Napo-
leonic Wars Might Prevent Brutal
+ Treatment Of Civilians Under
Guise of Punishment of "Sniping."
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Especial Cable to The Times Dlsrat tell. I
LONDOS.%October 10.--Several writ
}ers are proposing that every able-bod-
led citizen in Great Britain be enrolled
In a home defense force, like the Ger
man Landsturm. This would prove a
valuable move in case OF an invasion.
II was system in vogue at the time
OF the Napoleonic Wars. It might pre-
vent brutal treatment of civilians un-
der the guise Of punishment of snip
ing"
The fear OF invasion was probably
more lively in the day after the rup-
ture of the peace OF Amiens than it is
to-day. There was a plan to resist in
vasion drawn up. The King and the
government were to retire behind the
line or the Severn. The people of the
country districts made preparations to
follows them, leaving the able bodied
men to fight and the country n waste.
The idea did. not then prevail that
no man must strike a blow in defense
OF his home unless he were a member
OF the regular armed forces of the en-
pire.
The levee .en masse was-and fs-
an instrument which the crown could
invoke constitutionally for defense. If
King. George cared to proclaim tho
levee en- masse to-day. every man who
took arms would have the legal status
of soldier. But whether this would
affect the attitude OF German comman
ders is question.
In the brave days Of 1SO3-5, the car
rying out of the arrangements for re-
sistance seems to have been intrusted
10 the church wardens
First, list Of those capable Of bear
Ing arms was made out, and able bodied
men of fifty and older were included In
In IL.
ments OF "fencibles" militia, or what
ever they happened TO do
Next, the older men and sbmc of tho
less able-bodied were told Off to act
as transfers, wagoners. and drovcrs, to
convey the women, children and infirm.
With such stores of grain and forage as
could be carried Off. and to drive the
ons were all numbered, and the famj-
lies which were to travel by each were
told Off.
Other men were designated/to de-
s stt9.,, all produce Of the country
whatever which could be useful to the
enemy was to be left
Many now express their secp con-
Germ that organization Of the. civil
ner has never been undertaken. Re
treat behind the Severn would, per
haps, not be necessary. There is a
line of concentration for the terri
torial force. Behind that the women
and children would be safe. and in
front of II the country should be
cleared: But the thing requires to be
planned in order that should the
enemy appear the roads required for
moving troops shall not be obstruct-
cd by flying. civilian population.
Z, The, first a4yantagc of such action
by local authority Is that they would
get complete roll of the male in
habitants of their district for every.
purpose, and could tell off those Who
by age and inflrmty. arc unable to
fight, for snon-niilltary duty. Tile able
bodied men. up,.to ;tifty-five years of
age, should be. given the right to bear
arms IN defense of their homes: but
they should receive as much training
and ,organizatior as Is possible, and
should be definitely enrolled In tho
armed forces OF the crown. 1t seems
to have been$generGlly forgotten that.
In Germany there Is the NIIrsata Re
serve, men who-i,avo received no milf
thry training previous 70 tho war, and
that these can be. Icallcd up and en-
listed in tho Landstllrm ~