Jan, 23, It looks as if this war will have to wait! for a moment while the "old school tie" controversy which Lieut.-Colonel Bingham has started by a-letter to "The Times" is finally disposed of. Tt is not easy to identity the man who alleged in his communication that army officers from the middle classes had "fallen down on the job," but it clearly the case that he must come from those rarefied strata somewhat above them. Unfortunately Lieut.-Colonel Bingham's reasons for making the statement are not contained in the cable reporting that the matter has now: reached the House of Commons, where it is stated that the attention of the Secretary for War has been directed to the matter. The officer has been directed to the regulations forbidding soldiers to publish in the press views on military subjects without special authority, and he has been asked for a report. Doubtless he will be dealt with along disciplinary lines, The old school tie has been the cause for supply officer material, and it 1s history now that they filled the bill excellently and were largely responsible for the British Empire's contribution to that victory. There is not the slightest doubt that the middle classes, who have provided so much of the personnel of the RAF. which has covered itself with such great glory, have produced officers for the army equally as good as their flying contemporaries, and it will take more than the Lieut-colonel's obiter dictum to prove the contrary.
What is the magic about the old schoo! tie? Merely that of snobbery. Youths attending various schools have affected various coloured tes to indicate to the public at large the su~ priority of source of their education, frown-{ng upon those cads who have attended less prominent schools and positively foaming at the mouth should someone not a schoolfellow have the hardihood to flaunt similar colours.
Some of the schoo! tie addicts would willing have legislation passed providing for the most condign punishment for those people who buy a tie because they like it, even though one or another institution has decided that that particular design shall be theirs. Most people respect their foibles, chiefly because they do not desire to pass themselves off something they are not, and many manage to ive regimental ties and the like a very wide berth. Occasionally mistakes are made and the unfortunate wearer of may find himself up against the q sometimes rudeness of others more properly' wearing it.
Lieut.-Colonel Bingham's fault in writing to "The Times" is probably. thoroughly well covered by army regulations but there really ought to be some form of poetic justice meted out to him for the sentiments he has express ed. For instance he might be condemned to wear his school tie on al and every occasion, and having to do so for say a number of years with evening" as well as morning clothes, would'mark him out for the snob he appears to be, and eventually make him thoroughly sick of the idea. Another ingenfous thought is that he should be obliged to wear a patch of the old school colours his regimental pants, though it is feared that the sight of him so arrayed might have a risible effect upon the troops and consequently not be conducive of the highest discipline. As for the middle classes they may be trusted to look out for themselves. They have been and still are the backbone of Britain, even if they have not had the prize vilege of receiving their education in that rarefied atmosphere which alone, apparently according to the gallant officer, can inspire men with the best military tradition. No one wil deny for one moment the great sacrifices which the aristocracy have rendered the Empire, or the outstanding qualities of some of the officers coming from fine families, but to cast o slur upon the middle class officer is to do him an injustice and to reflect seriously upon the good sense and taste of such men as the lieut colonel appears to be,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.