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Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 18 February 1916, Page 3

(TO THE EDITOR.) Sir, —In reply to “ Not one of the 34,000 ” latest effort, I note that he now admits he is not interested in Unions, although when he entered this controversy he did so with the expressed object of flattening “ Trades Unionists” for their want of logic and consistency in the attitude they, (generally speaking) have adopted towards the question of compulsion. I think we may also safely assume that his knowledge of these organizations is about as shallow as he admits his interest in them to be; so, as this aspect of the controversy has previously been dealt with at some length, I need not use further space just now.

I quite agree with the sentiments expressed by your correspondent, re the bestial orgies that have been indulged m by the invading armies in this as well as all previous wars, which he does not mention ; for desolation loot and rape have ever accompanied the successful armies in the field, at any period of our planet’s recorded history. To make this matter a little clearer, as well as with a \iew to stripping war of its pomp and glory, I crave your indulgence, Mr Editor, to permit me to record one or two historical incidents. A little over 100 years ago, our gallant allies, the French who at that time were our depraved enemies, captured and occupied the Island of Malta. On the Island stood a Roman Catholic Cathedral, St. Johns 4 the rails to the Chapel of the Patron Saint were made of gold, and these the French, professedly devout Catholics, committed the sacrilege of confiscating. This will be considered tame in comparison to some German acts, but I doubt not had this building been used for observation or other military purposes, the French would havedealt withitexactlyas the Germans or an other Nation at war would do. During this occupation the French troops also ravished the women of the Island to such an extent that the entire womanhood, as a sign of degradation, resolved that for 100 years they and their female children would wear the “ Hood of Shame '* Whilst dealing with sacred places ijfc is as well to recall that Kipling has immortalised the fact that Kitchener smashed the Madhi Tomb; some people considered this wanton destruction but the General excused himself by saying that the Arabs regarded it as a shrine, and a rallying point. Just another example that happened in; Peking, China, in August 1900 A.D., and was participated in by all the so called leading civilized powers. I now quote from “Cassell’s Illustrated History of England,” The capture of Peking was followed by its sack, which reproduced the savagery and wildness of the mediaeval ages. All the worst passions of human nature were let loose and the civilization that came to the Chinese capital lost itself in mad disgraceful orgies of riot, robbery and lust. The sacking of the summer Palace in 1860 fades into insignificance by the side of the scenes now enacted, that seemed bent on loosing Hell in the chief city of the Celestial Empire. For days and days the looting went on without intermission; wanton destruction was added to wholesale robbery. Throughout the operations the French and the Russians showed a ferocity and disregard of the laws of civilized warfare that was little less than barbarous.

The city was subdivided among the various divisions of the releiving force, and the eight historical banners of the Manchus, or Tartar conquerers of China were replaced by the eight banners of England, America, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Japan. Such is war in all its nakedness, and if your correspondent is sincere in his desire to prevent it he must give a hand to uproot the cause, which briefly put is—the private ownership of wealth who the owners are always contesting for further markets to invest their surplus stolen wealth, and to extend their exploitation. There are other points in his letter I could have dealt with at length, but space forbids, so they must needs be left over. I however wish to say that I like his style of satire, and although we are living in a sad mad world that makes many of us over serious, I hope he will continue his banter, which if not overdone will tend to brighten up this controversy. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, Yours etc, J. MELTING.