The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War

by Gavin Fuller

  Bartropps, Weybridge, Surrey

  19 January 1915

  YMCA AND THE TROOPS

  Huts and Motor Kitchens A Princess’s Appeal

  SIR – The generosity of the British public has enabled the YMCA to make a substantial beginning in France with its beneficent work of establishing recreation centres for the British troops. As rapidly as circumstances permit, the huts are being erected in convenient spots at the base camps for the comfort and advantage of the men, whether from the United Kingdom, the Colonies or the Indian Empire, who have already shown the greatest appreciation of what has been accomplished in this direction.

  The Auxiliary Committee, of which I am President, has been formed to co-operate in the general scheme of the YMCA at the front and to organise helpful work in the various departments. Already several representatives our committee are at the British camps in France, as voluntary helpers without cost to the association. They have undertaken useful work, one of the features being the dispensing of refreshments at points of disembarkation and entrainment. They are cooperating in the management of huts, institutes, &c., of which some twenty are now in operation in France.

  A valuable extension of these activities is now being organised by means of motor kitchens and tea and coffee trolleys, which will supply hot refreshments to the men, and will, we believe, prove a great boon at various points where soldiers congregate. The first of these motor kitchens has most kindly been placed at my disposal by the members of the Carlton Club, for the purpose of assisting our soldiers in France.

  For the objects above enumerated, as well as for carrying on and extending the social work of the base camps in France, I venture to appeal the public, who ever respond so generously to a real need, to help us to raise the funds necessary to carry on the work which is proving of such inestimable value to our soldiers.

  Victoria, Princess of Schleswig-Holstein

  23 Bruton Street, London W.

  AFTER THE WAR

  Questions of Employment

  SIR – Remembering the difficulties which arose at the close or the Boer War, and the neglect, in the matter of employment, of which many of our brave ex-soldiers were then the subjects, I would ask your earnest attention to a proposal which has been submitted to the Royal Colonial Institute and other bodies interested in Imperial affairs, the object of which is to remove the anxiety of many who are now defending the Empire.

  In that proposal I recommend that the question of the after-employment of these men should be regarded as an Imperial one, and that the Home Government, through, say, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, should consult the London representatives of the Dominions, in order to ascertain how far it may be possible for their respective Governments to co-operate with the home authorities in finding openings on the land and in their rural districts, for such of the men who may be unable to obtain suitable employment at home, and who may be desirous of availing themselves of the opportunities and facilities the Dominions can offer.

  I would urge this point the more strongly in view of the fact that while, as we know, there was a great surplusage of efficient labour after the Boer War, after this war the surplusage is likely to be far greater, notwithstanding all the efforts that may be made by the Government, the various municipalities, and patriotic employers of labour, and much suffering will ensue unless we proceed now to prepare, in collaboration with the Dominions, to deal with the question on broad Imperial lines.

  I hold the view, also, that were it known that the Imperial and Dominions’ Governments were conferring together on the subject, it would be a welcome assurance to the men now serving and to their dependents, and would be a material encouragement to further recruiting.

  Lord Grey, I may mention, and others are cordially in sympathy with the proposal, which I venture to think should command the support of all who are interested in the welfare of our men at the front, and who believe in the unity of the Empire.

  I am, &c.,

  E.T. Scammell

  The Royal Colonial Institute

  20 January 1915

  SOLDIERS’ GARMENTS

  SIR – It has been brought to my notice that during the last few weeks many garments and comforts have been sent to the men of the Essex regiments now serving at the front.

  I understand that in many cases many of the gifts have been wasted, as they cannot be stored or carried with the regiments. I am venturing, therefore, to suggest that our kind friends should concentrate their efforts by sending money to enable what is really required to be bought.

  The Hon. Mrs Alwyne Greville, who is in charge of the Essex County Depot, 67 High Street, Chelmsford, would be glad to receive donations or comforts, and will try and forward from time to time those things which are wanted.

  The requirements of the regiments will be notified to her by Colonel Wood, of the depot at Warley.

  I trust that this plan meets with your approval, and that thereby great waste and overlapping will be avoided.

  I am, &c.,

  Warwick, Lord-Lieutenant County of Essex

  Easton Lodge, Dunmow, Essex

  19 March 1915

  ENEMY ALIENS

  Women’s Protest

  SIR – Will you allow me to call attention once more to the monster protest we, the women of Great Britain and Ireland, are sending to the House of Commons on the subject of the enemy aliens still living among us?

  In no other country at war with another can such a thing be seen as enemies living along coasts and in the large towns quite at their ease, in many cases in great affluence. Nothing ought to be refused to the women of Great Britain on this subject. It is no more than a reasonable request that those enemies of military age should be interned and the pest removed from our coasts.

  The Government have to thank the women of Great Britain for the glorious way our men have behaved at the front. Never once has there been an unchivalrous act recorded, either towards women and their foes, and here the influence of their womenkind has come in. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, and thank God the appalling deeds of the Germans can never be done by Englishmen.

  Therefore I say honour their women and let the Government do as we ask.

  Yours,

  Edith Glanusk

  30 Bruton Street, W.

  23 April 1915

  EMPLOYERS AND WAR

  Patriotic Propaganda

  SIR – In connection with their recruiting campaign amongst employers the National Patriotic Association asked for suggestions, and from the thousands of replies to hand a majority include the following ten recommendations. Coming from businessmen all over the country, it occurs to me that you may think them worthy of publication on St George’s Day.

  The period proposed to be devoted to making a serious endeavour to rouse the nation to a sense of the position is from tomorrow (St George’s Day), until 24 June (St John’s Day), with special celebrations on Empire Day (Whit Monday), and the proposals which appear to find general favour may be summarised as follows:

  1. That a special appeal be made for voluntary total abstinence during those two months.

  2. That Empire Day, which falls on Whit Monday, 24 May, shall be observed as a Red Cross Day everywhere.

  3. That the newly authorised badge of the Red Cross and St John Societies shall be generally worn as a mark of sympathy and seriousness during all that time, but particularly on the three days mentioned. Over a quarter of a million of these badges were sold during the first three days after issue this week.

  4. That in the interests of our workers, as well as our soldiers in training, all clocks and watches shall be put forward an hour on St George’s Day, and so give ‘daylight saving’ two months’ fair trial at a most opportune time.

  5. That on one of the three days mentioned great processions shall go to Hyde Park and other places in the country, where solemn services shall be conducted from as many platforms as may be necessary.

  6. That a genuine attempt be made to schedu
le and coordinate the numberless charitable and patriotic schemes which have been started, so as to get the best possible results with as little waste and overlapping as possible.

  7. That during the two months in question every employer shall give an undertaking that when engaging new hands after the war preference shall always be given to those who have served their country under arms or making them. With the help of the Daily Telegraph this recommendation should be carried out splendidly.

  8. That the future of all incapacitated soldiers and sailors shall he made absolutely secure before Midsummer.

  9. That the Government should soon appoint a home and Colonial non-party business committee to consider the grave questions involved by the new conditions which will be created directly after the war under the headings of Employment, Industry and Commerce.

  10. That all employers be compelled to guarantee reinstatement to men who leave present situations to join the colours or to assist in making munitions of war.

  A personal appeal to employers drew 35,000 to the Army in two months last autumn, but the attitude of many Government offices, banks, business houses, and factories today is detrimental to recruiting, and thousands of willing men are thus more or less ‘shirkers by compulsion’.

  Yours faithfully,

  George Pragnell, Chairman Employers’ Territorial Association

  22 St Paul’s Churchyard, E.C.

  29 April 1915

  BRITISH PRISONERS

  A Suggestion

  SIR – The recently issued White Paper of the Foreign Office has furnished an authoritative statement of the treatment accorded to English prisoners in Germany, and this grave matter was yesterday debated in both Houses of Parliament. In the Daily Telegraph you have published accounts which fully confirm our worst suspicions, and you have besides drawn repeated attention in your leading articles to a subject in the last degree discreditable to the Germans and humiliating to ourselves. If we tell the Germans that we are not so inhuman as they are, and that their kith and kin in our places of detention are treated with consideration and respect, they simply refuse to believe us. Even the report of American Consuls, who are clearly neutral in such matters, they look at with suspicion and mistrust, because they think that we employ means to hoodwink such authorities and only show them what we choose.

  In circumstances like these I wish to suggest that an appeal should be made to the Germans in our midst, many of whom have attained to a high position in our land, and all of whom have received from us not only hospitality in the past, but a large measure of courtesy and consideration in the present. It was mentioned in the Daily Telegraph the other day that out of a total of over 27,000 male Germans above the age of seventeen in the United Kingdom, only 8,600 have been interned. Moreover, a considerable number have been released – up to 5 December last 600 had been liberated. On the other hand, practically all male British subjects in Germany are believed to be interned.

  In view of so flagrant a contrast as this, I submit that it is incumbent on Germans living in England – and especially those who have become naturalised subjects – to make representations to the Berlin authorities on the real facts of the case. Let them make it clear in Germany that England treats her prisoners, not only with the ordinary consideration due to all human beings, but with a sense of chivalry besides. She gives them such measure of liberty as is possible, opportunities for refreshment and exercise, and a treatment which does not wound their self-respect. I would also ask the Germans in our midst to appeal to their Fatherland on behalf of captive Englishmen, so that they may be exempt from such humiliating barbarities as those which have shocked the conscience of the civilised world. Probably they, in virtue of their blood, will be listened to and believed, even though our own protests are passed by unheeded or stigmatised as fictions. I think it is a clear duty, a matter of distinct obligation, that Germans who owe their wealth, their position and their safety to free England should use their influence with their native country on behalf of their adopted country, and thus prove that in this crisis of their fate and of ours they recognise a debt of gratitude to the land which for so long they have made their home.

  Faithfully yours,

  Scrutator

  London

  1 May 1915

  THE KAISER’S BANNER

  British-American’s Protest

  SIR – Being a reader, both here and in the city of New York, USA, of your valuable paper, I beg to call your attention to one of the most disgraceful things of this present war.

  On Wednesday, in company with friends, I visited Windsor Castle. Whilst there I went to St George’s Chapel, and was indeed horrified, and naturally very indignant, with others, to find in the chapel, over the choir stalls, the banners of the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria and the Crown Prince still hanging.

  I feel bound, although an American citizen, as I have brothers at the front fighting against these barbarians and pirates, as your paper has justly termed them, to call your attention to this injustice to the English people and insult to the mothers, wives and families of those who are so courageously shedding their blood against these Huns.

  I am, dear Sir, yours very obediently,

  Wm. J. Gammon, British-American

  Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex

  HOW MANY DRUNKARDS?

  SIR – As a mere member of the public, I am anxious to be enlightened on a certain point in connection with the new liquor legislation announced on Thursday.

  Changes are to be made which will be felt as oppressive by every person in these islands who makes even the most moderate regular use of beer, wine or spirits; which will profoundly disorganise every industry concerned, and gravely affect the revenue.

  The sole reason put forward for the making of these changes is that some working men, in some districts, are drinking so much as to render them inefficient as armament or munition workers.

  Will Mr Lloyd tell us, quite roughly – within a thousand or two, let us say – what is the number of these delinquents upon whose account this sweeping legislation is proposed?

  When we know this, we shall be better able to judge whether the disease – which undoubtedly needs to be cured – is being treated with ordinary common sense.

  I am, &c.,

  Inquisitive

  4 May 1915

  THE TREATMENT OF WAR PRISONERS

  A German’s Tribute

  SIR – With reference to the suggestion put forward in the Daily Telegraph by Scrutator regarding British prisoners, I shall be glad if you will have the courtesy to publish my own views. I consider Scrutator’s suggestion – that Germans in England should state their views as to the treatment of their fellows in England – an excellent one. I also think that Scrutator’s suggestion would have the desired effect. Unfortunately, there can be but little doubt that the German mind is so constituted as to render a discreditable treatment of helpless prisoners not only possible but probable and I think that an appeal from Germans in England and, above all, from German prisoners in England, to the German public would result in an amelioration of the conditions now prevailing in Germany.

  I fully share Scrutator’s opinion that it is an urgent duty of loyal Germans in this country to come forward and testify to the courtesy and consideration extended to them in the country of their adoption and choice by practically the whole of the British public, at a time and under circumstances most trying, and when even the most loyal German must bear without flinching the fact that his sentiments, however loyal to England, may be looked upon as doubtful by English people, unless intimately acquainted with him.

  As a German by law I have been a prisoner myself, and I therefore speak from experience when I say that German prisoners in England are treated not only with humanity, but with sympathy, understanding and kindness. After my release I wrote, and caused a letter to be sent, to the influential Cologne Gazette stating all the true facts about concentration camps in this country, and pleading for equal treatment of British pr
isoners in Germany. As far as I am aware this letter was never published by the Cologne Gazette. I am afraid that such isolated and individual endeavours are useless, and I am of Scrutator’s opinion that a concerted statement by Germans resident in this country and a concerted appeal by them to the German public would be more likely to have the desired effect, if anything can bring the guilty parties in Germany to realise the baseness and the repulsive nature of their actions. I am sure that loyal Germans in this country – the blessings of which they have learned to appreciate and to which they are attached in most cases with a sincerity and love far greater than they obtain credit for – would come forward in their thousands to sign an appeal to the German public such as suggested.

  I also think that German soldiers captured on the battlefield and now prisoners in this country should be given an opportunity to sign the appeal, and they should be given to understand the reasons for such an appeal, for, being deprived of newspapers, they may not even know that their gallant erstwhile foes are being ill-treated in German camps.

  The only question is as to the best means for bringing concerted action about, and perhaps Scrutator or some other personality of standing is in a position to set the scheme going.

  I enclose my card, and am, Sir, yours faithfully,

  British Subject in Spe

  St Albans

  SIR – Permit me, as a naturalised German (and British subject of thirty years’ standing), very cordially to endorse the excellent suggestion recently made by ‘Scrutator’ in a letter to your valuable paper, to the effect that representations should be made to the Berlin authorities by naturalised Germans in this country, testifying to the excellent treatment accorded to German prisoners here, and petitioning reciprocal treatment for British prisoners in Germany.