LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3033, 21 March 1917, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

*- —-— "THE NEW ELIZABETHANS" AN APPRECIATION BY A FRIEND. Sir, —Your sub-loader on "Tho New Elizabethans" touched me to the very depth of my being. Thoro aro times when far-off ovents are brought before ono's eyes, and memories of far-gone days take possession of, one's soul. That this war has claimed the best and brightest of our Empiro goes without saying, and I do well remember that only a few years ago, when Charles Lister and myself were together at Oxford, we discussed ;the problem whether war had to como'or whether it could bo avoided.' In those _ days Charles Lister and myself woTe interested in the great social problems which wero agitating the Old • World. Although the Hon. Charles Listor, an aristocrat by birth, he was one of those boys whose imaginative spirit carried him to tho very root of social problems. Wo wore associated together for nearly three years, belonged to tho samo organisation; in fact, wont together to conferences or to by-elections to stir up a desire amongst tho people to see things as wo saw them. .Well do I remember sitting together in a hotel in the south of England. Lister came to the conclusion that nothing would save the people—no amount -of agitation would rouse them except a war. And it has come true. England to-day stands out a reborn nation, with an outlook worthy .of . ancient Empires. Russia has been struggling for a cenitnry to freo herself from a debauched, autocracy, and only through' this war will she emerge free to develop her national,ideals; and other nations will be tho samo. Lister was, a rebel; ho belonged to organisations which were unpopular in those days. His own class rebelled against him. Tall, thin, and shy, with an expressive face, suitable to the cloister of a monastery, -he left Oxford with a brilliant career behind him, to take up a position in the diplomatic service at Rome. Last time we were near each other was at Gallipoli.'( He was ai Cape Helles, and I was at' Anzac, but we did not see each other. I heard at Anzac that he was killed in" action, and I remembered' well his views that this world could only bo regenerated by sacrifice of blood and treasure. It is gratifying to\know that the best which was in tho nation.rushed on to the scene of battle. The ''cloisters of Oxford and Cambridgs were deserted for a greater and'higher purpose, and Lister, with thousands of others, will be remembered so long as •virtue and courage are admired.—-I am, etc., _ I ■: J. T. FOX. i . March 17,.