THE WAR "HERO."

West Coast Times, 12 April 1915, Page 2

THE WAR "HERO."

liecent cu.ses have shown that throughout the United Kingdom bogus war heroes are exploiting the patriotic and charitable instincts of the public. Soidisant winners of the Victoria Cross and wounded warriors have in many places victimised the credulous, and although a number of these scoundrels have been detected and punished, others arc no doubt still practising their craft. 'Phc war is unfortunately giving plenty of scope for many public pests. The professional writer of begging, letters has now adapted his whine to a patriotic tune. One of this class who addresses himself particularly to authors and who for many years has been in the sad plight of having just been compelled to pawn his fountain pen for Is, is now the honorary secretary of a league with a gr- •• diloquent patriotic title. Anoth offender, a woman, appeals to ibe c hj ,1. table on behalf of “a young man, a gentleman by birth, who has lost l.is all through this terrible war.” The young gentleman by birth is, of course, ill, and his eyesight prevents him from joining the army—and so on through the familiar range. A prominent member of “ Truth’s ” cautionary list, whose charities have just sufficient pretence to keep him out of the e'utches of"tho law, introduces his appeal with the statement that one of the results

of the war is the weakening of organisations for the relief of general destitution. Since August many of tho pseudo-chari table institutions have found new cares. The worst class of all arc the vultures who prey upon the dead, Tito casualty lists are carefully watched and a letter is addressed to the dead officer recalling how ho helped the writer a year ago nud expressing a hope that in this terrible time of war he will again extend a charitable hand. In some cases the prolessional beggar even asks for the repayment of an alleged debt. These letters are opened by relatives who in the hour of their grief are impelled lo s.-ml assistance to one whom their lost son or brother was wont lo help. If the appeal were sent lo the (barity Organisation, it would probably join the already considerable dossier of some habitual beggar. ‘ ’’