WHO STANDS FOR SCOTLAND'S RIGHTS?

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3252, 4 September 1917, Page 3

WHO STANDS FOR SCOTLAND'S RIGHTS?

A CALL FOB SCOTS When llurope is drenched in ulood t<> asM-r: the rights nf small nations, and i ' >ffii <• llie'r people's protection fn. ii t'-e nn' iace of autocratic Pruss an mi" .if -m, Scotland lias surely a right i.i oe heard touching her needs. Her sons have freely shed the'r blood in all parts of the world where right joined issue with the wrong. While thus they fought and bled and d'ed that others should be free, they lwre with wondrous patience the grievou> wrongs so long endured in their own bonnie land. Long, long have Scotsmen waited for the time when simple justice, if not •gratitude, would briny from Ahj.lt!<>Saxon rule some recognition of their nation's help in Britain's march to greatness. Yet years flowed by and decades have to centuries stretched out, while Scotland's straths and glens to a'-'ens" sport are given o'er. Her people from their homes were swept to find new refuge overseas. And still the Homeland bleeds. Deserted s tratlis, and villages now hall theT former size, fringe moors where deer and hare, with grou-e and pheasants sacred to the magnate's sport, with streams wellstocked with salmon and fine Scottish trout, but mock the half-starved cottar's gaze. He dare not touch these creatures of his own Homeland, for English 'aw to German counts and foreign magnates have them long, assigned. If food they lack, the Highland lads and lasses to the aliens' homes must go to black their boots or carry round their well-fiMed gamebags, and take for that base serv : ce such pittance a< the lords allow. Yes,

this is Scotland now! The Highland Land League, founded over a century ago on the Stra!h of K'ldonan, Sutherland, is known to Scots the world over as the great fighting organisation of the North whose members were ever prepared to suffer any personal inconvenience, or so - e persecution that the people's right should be maintained. In recent years

the League had slumbered somewhat, lulled to repo-e by the specious promises of English politicians! but the disillusionment, lias come. Scotland is littered with the broken promises of professed friends, and her people are awakening to the situation. The old Highland Land League has sprung to life again, and, raisins the slogan "Autonomy for Scotland," i.s attracting thousands to its ranks Strong Divisions have been formed not only in Highland towns and villages. out in the great cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London. The, democracy of Scotland rea'ises that if the country is to be saved from ruin 't must again assume control of it* own affairs. The Scotti-h. Parliament must be re-opened. Other large organisations in Scotland are taking a hand in the campaign, and men and women are giving freely time and

talents to the cause. Scots abroad who would like to have a share in this movement, for the ■and of their hirfh, are invited to cooperate with their means. Funds are essential for the campaign, and the hulk of the folks at home are .so poor. It will need a big elTort to lift Scotland out of the condition she has been allowed to get. into; but if every Scot puts his back into it. the thing will soon oe done.

The kilted lad** of the North are away with the lead towards the grand objective. The philabeg swings forward, the pipes are skirling. the heather's ablaze! The slogan resounds "Who's for Scotland yet?" "Who follows?" "Who follows?" The offices of the Highland Land League Centra! Council are at the Bruce News Service Offices, 161 a Strand, London.. The honorary secretary and organiser is Mr G. J. Bruce, and the League's. Bankers are Lloyds Bank, Ltd.,. Strand, London. "By oppression's woes and pains, By your sons in servile chains, We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free. Lay the proud usurpers low! Tyrants fall in every foe! Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die!"