SCOUTS AND CADETS.

​

   In anticipation of the forthcoming Jamboree to be held by the Hongkong Boy Scouts, a brief comparison of the objects of the Scouts with those of the Cadets might be of interest. It is not our object to attempt to make any invidious comparisons between the Cadet Corps attached to the H.K.V.D. and the local Scouts, but merely to endeavour to show how essentially different are the principles which govern these two distinct organisations, either at home or abroad.
   The primary object of the Cadet movement is to give military training to lads with a view to rendering them capable of bearing arms should the necessity for so doing arise at some future date. The Cadet Corps are intended to be feeders, for the volunteer or territorial forces, the idea being that when the lads reach the requisite age, they will automatically transfer into the latter.
   The Cadet movement is indisputably a military organisation, hence its recognition by the War Office and the assistance given to it from that source.

   The Scout movement on the other hand is avowedly non-military. Sir Robt. Baden-Powell, the Chief Scout, in his handbook "Scouting for Boys," which is regarded as the foundation on which the whole movement is based, both as regards its scope and aims and the nature of the training given, contains the following significant passage: "There is no military meaning attached to scouting. Peace scouting comprises the attributes of colonial frontiersmen in the way of resourcefulness and self-reliance and the many other qualities which make them men among men. There is no intention of making the lads into soldiers or of teaching them bloodthirstiness. At the same time under ‘Patriotism,' they are taught that a citizen must be prepared to take his fair share among his fellows in the defence of the homeland against aggression in return for the safety and freedom enjoyed by him as an inhabitant."
   If we may be excused for again quoting from a writer who deals with this same aspect of the subject the following extract from an article which appeared in the Times of July 14th, 1918, may be regarded as of special interest. The article was a comparative survey of the Scout training and stated "Both the Cadet and Scout movements are out for the good of the boy. The outstanding difference between their respective methods of training is that of principle-- one works through impression, the other through expression. The Cadet training imposes collective instruction upon the boys from without; while the Scout movement encourages self-development on the part of the individual from within. Military drill fashions him on to an approved standard as a part of the machine; whereas the aim of scouting is to develop his personal character as a first step."
   It is because so many people have an idea that the two movements are closely akin, or in fact one and the same, that we have ventured to present these facts. As far as Hongkong is concerned, it is hoped that the Jamboree will help to dispel this idea and serve to demonstrate in some measure the real value of Scouting for boys, both as a means of character training and as an adjust to education.-- Contributed