A SOCIALIST INTERLUDE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1438, 13 May 1912, Page 4

A SOCIALIST INTERLUDE.

IN POST OFFICE SQUARE. | Shortly before 3 o'clock yesterday after- ; noon, tho Post Office Square—which, by the way, is an acute-angled triangle—was I dotted 'along its sides with groups of | youths, who regarded a soap-box in (he middle of tho space with expectant eyes. As the clock chimed the holir, Mr. "Comrade" Dowdall, accompanied by two or three others, advanced to the soap-box, their arrival being tho subject of congratulatory remarks from tho youths. Immediately afterwards the largest group detached itself from the Post Office steps, formed up in rough columns of sections by the right, and'advanced with mock military pomp mid circumstance upon tho soap-box, halting at the word of command when within a few feet ef the stand. Then, while' Mr. Dowdall adjusted his spectacles and prepared to orate, the youths aforesaid indulged in witticisms in military parlance, which they addressed to no one in particular,. "Any complaints?" inquired one youth, quoting the stereotyped query of the officer of tho day ou camp rounds. "That's what they'll ask you when they | put you in gaol for disobeying the lawful commands of your'superior officer," commented Mr.' Domlnll. "Will yon give ns a good hearing?" he pursued, addressing tho youths, lie was answered, in effect, that they—the youths aforesaid—would be respectfully silent and attentive. Whereupon Mr. Dowdall mounted tho box and entered upon a general denunciation of militarism, which he classified roughly as either voluntary or conscript. He based a vehement peroration upon what he considered to !>e two contradictory assertions in tho long list of traditional mottoes. In ono breath they were told that "Britons never will be slaves," and in the next were reminded that as soldiers it was "Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and dio." Was not that a 9pecies of slavery." ' Tho youths signified that they were not impressed with this method of argument, Mr. Dovetail then proceeded upon what are now familiar lines of argument m vogue amongst a certain section, and expatiated at considerable length upon what is known as tho "Gregory Pamphlet."