Читать книгу The Montreal Highland Cadets - Ernest J. Chambers - Страница 4
ОглавлениеPREFACE.
he developments of the past eighteen months, fraught as they have been with events of the greatest moment for the British Empire, and mankind in general, must have brought home forcibly to the people of the world the truth of the trite saying quoted so frequently, but so often with little effect in military writings and speeches:—“In time of peace prepare for war.”
Kruger and the Boers appear to have realized the force of the saying from the very start, and as the result, they have been able to make such excellent use of the natural defensive features of their country as fairly to surprise the world. Had they neglected the maxim as have much more powerful nations, the natural strength of their frontiers would have availed them but very little in opposing the British armies.
The war at present raging has brought the question of the value of military preparedness directly home to the people of Canada. The value of the militia organization we have has been demonstrated anew in the success which has attended the organization and equipment of the four excellent contingents which have gone from Canada to South Africa. The fact that the Dominion and the other self-governing colonies have at last, by their military contributions, shown that they consider it their duty to take an active part in the defence of the integrity of the Empire, should be sufficient to keenly interest all loyal Canadians in the question how best and most economically to increase the efficiency of the Canadian militia, and foster the military spirit of the country’s population. Now that Canada has voluntarily undertaken to play her part in the defense of the great, but vulnerable, because very rich Empire it is so much to her advantage and to her patriotic liking to form a part of, all good Canadians will hope that she will reasonably prepare herself to play the part with honor to her people and to the best advantage of the Empire.
A great improvement of the militia system and a wide extension of its sphere of influence would appear to be an immediate pressing necessity.
There is no question whatever, that one of the very best means of obtaining this end would be to encourage a well-thought-out, systematic scheme for the establishment of cadet corps for the training of boys and youths.
In this new country, with public works and the administrative expenses of government making such a heavy strain upon the public revenue, economy in military expenditure is an even more important matter than it would be in older countries, where new industries do not have to be nursed along, and new avenues of trade opened up and even constructed.
I maintain that it is much more economical to make soldiers out of youths than out of men. Their time is not so valuable, and the mind of a boy being more receptive than that of a full-grown man, he is more susceptible to military training. I have commanded as a boy a company of school-boy cadets, and in maturer age I have commanded companies of men. My cadet company was by far the best drilled company it has ever been my honor to command, though for two years my militia company obtained the highest possible number of points for drill and discipline in the efficiency competitions. If we could secure the introduction of a general cadet training into our school system, with the establishment, in addition, of well-regulated cadet corps in the towns and cities, for the training of boys and youths in business, I believe that we should have done a great deal towards the solution of the now burning question of the military training of the sturdy and spirited male population of the Dominion. And there is no reason, now that the kicking propensities of the rifle have been eliminated, why the cadet should not be trained to shoot as well as to drill.
Holding this opinion, I firmly believe that the intelligent public generally, and military men especially, will peruse with the greatest interest a history of the organization of the most successful cadet corps in Canada, a smart little battalion which has done much for the militia of Canada, and has contributed some of their most efficient members to the contingents of brave Canadians now fighting for our King and Empire in South Africa.
I am willing to admit that the Highland Cadets have had special advantages, which cadet corps in other places are not likely to have—the invaluable aid of a most capable and devoted commanding officer, Major Lydon, for instance—but what Major Lydon has accomplished, others can try to do, at any rate.
There is a very special reason why a history of the Highland Cadets Battalion should be acceptable to the general public just now, while so much popular interest is being very naturally attracted to Canada’s military organizations by the spirit of patriotism so abundantly manifested by the youth and manhood of Canada in connexion with the organization of the various Canadian units for service in South Africa. The spirit of patriotic loyalty which has permeated all ranks of the militia, and the splendid heroism which has so conspicuously marked those of the Canadian troops who have been called upon to undergo the supreme and trying test of battle, must naturally create a general and widespread interest in the recognized nurseries of the national defensive forces of the broad Dominion.
Though the history of the battalion has been brief, it has been at once honorable and stirring, and I venture to hope that this modest record of the good work accomplished and the plucky deeds done will serve as an incentive to future members of the corps, and at the same time prove interesting and pleasant reading to Canadians, and perhaps to Britains generally.
