To the Editor of the Nouru-Cuua Dany News.
Sm,—With reference tw the lists which are being sent round the Settlement for Volunteers for active terview at the Cape, itatruck me, judging from the one Isa {that they were either a honx, in whi case exceedingly bad taste had been exhibited, or that they had been too hastily drawn up and did-not bear the stamp of any very responsible person or person And a wire to the British authorities in England would not get riy attention paid If anything is to be done at all to raise Volunteers, it should be done through the proper medium, is. the British Consul-general, who, if properly approached on the subject, would without doubt call some feasible scheme which would include meeting of British residents and shape
Britishers in the outports who are equally patriotic.
This may not please those who issued the above lists. No doubt they believe in "striking whilst the iron is hot," but in so grave an undertaking it is not the iron which is manageable when hot only that is most required. Those who go will not find laurel-strewn paths to medals ai honours, but monotonous "sentry go" in garrison or hard drudgery in camp, perhaps without ever firing a shot. Then the signatories have in many cases entered their names on the spur of the moment without giving " thought to their engagements to employers, or the thousand an! one pro's and con's connected with so serious a step in their careers. I suppose the thoughts of field equipment, horses, and medical fitness have not troubled them for one moment. I feel assured supporting such lists will only bring discredit on a lot of most worthy and patriotic young fellows.
'The Regular is unquestionably the man to send. And how are we to send him? Why, by relieving a portion of the Hongkong' and Singapore regulars of their garrison duties, by putting Volunteers into their places until they return. Let Hongkong have 600 volunteers to release say 300 regulars, and Singapore the same—the former to be raised in Hongkong, China and Japan, and the latter pore) in the Straits, Java and the Philippines. I am certain Shanghai and its outports would xoon raise 200 men, and a relay of 100 could be raised in three months' time to relieve those who have 20 return for the Hankow and Northern Ports! seasons. 'Those who de not yolunteer would do the absentees' work for them. And men of means whose age and responsibilities precluded their' joining might pay for substitutes. Trusting my scheme is not too chimerical, Tam, ete., A Pararor. 21st December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.