The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

office and the higher military authori- could to damp down the enthusiasm for several reasons. In the first place they believed, as they still believe, that an invasion of England is impossible, and that, therefore, the volunteer movement meant a lot of additional work and bother without any commensurate military re- turn. In the second place it was some- thing new and, therefore, something to be discouraged by officialdom, and In the third place the war office feared that if the new volunteer movement were en- couraged it might be regarded by good many men of military age as a convent ent umbrella under which they might shelter from the demand that they join the regular army and do their share in the defense of their country abroad.
 All recognition was, therefore, refused and this left the volunteers ill the posi- tion of irregulars or francs tireurs. If the Germans had come in the early days of the movement and the volunteers had resisted them, as they certainly would have done, any German general would have been justified in executing every volunteer that he captured This was the strong card played by the authorities to discourage the growth of the movement and for long time the Volunteers were not even allowed to wear a uniform. but in spite of all Encouragement the move- ment continued to grow week by week. Finally the persistence and the spirit of the men attracted the attention Of per sons of influence and the movement was taken hold of and thoroughly organized. central association was formed with Lord Desborough as president, Percy Harris, famous political organizer, as secretary and c. J. Stewart, the public trustee, as treasurer Sir OMoore Creagh, formerly commander in chief of the army in India, became chief mili- tary adviser, which is equivalent to com mander in chief of the volunteers.
 RECOGNITION AT LAST
 With all this new influence behind the volunteer movement the war office could no longer withhold some form of recog- hilton. but even now recognition was grudging and even insulting A set of rules was laid down by compliance with which members of the volunteer corps could gain recognition as belligerents. Corps wishing to obtain such recognition must affiliate themselves with the cen tral association. The members must sign an agreement that if called on by a recruiting officer they would enlist in the regular army. Nothing in the form of an oath or attestation must be taken on enrolment. No uniform must be worn resembling that of the regular army. and no military titles nor military badges of rank must be used by the officers. In place of uniform the government agreed to issue red brassard, or arnlet with the letters ''G. R. in black, to~men who had proved themselves efficient soldiers. Efficiency was to be attained by attend- ing minimum of 40 drills, and then passing drill test, the army test in musketry, signalling and other exercises, and spending certain time in camp. Nearly 500,000 men have already passed these severe tests and 50O,0O0 more are training hard to obtain the red brassard.
 Later the war office relented a little on the subject and allowed the volun- teers to wear dress of uniform pattern, which must not, however, be capable Of being mistaken for the soldiers khaki. After lot of negotiation a grey green shade was approved and a pattern of semi-military cut but at first volun- teers were forbidden to have their uni- forms made of woolen cloth. Cotton was the only material allowed but recently this has been relaxed and a,scotton and wool mixture is now permitted. No grants in money or assistance or any kind are given by the war office so that every volunteer has to pay for his own uniform, his own rifle and his equip ment. He has even to pay for the red brassard, without which even the grey green uniform does not protect him from the danger of being shot as a franc tireur. His officers must not call them- selves lieutenants and captains and col onels. The various ranks in the volun- teers are known as commandant Of bat talion, company commander, platoon com mander and section commander. No rule has been laid down for the noncommis- stoned officers and these are known as sergeant and corporal as in the regular