A Bastard Patriotism.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 19, 12 May 1909, Page 35

A Bastard Patriotism.

By

C. H. NORMAN.

The time has come for all lovers of the honour of their country to stand fast against the dangerous militarist agitation now being engineered by a reptile Press, out-of-work Generals, noncombatant Whig lawyers, and a corrupt Court. The object of these men, few of whom are Englishmen, is to deprive the citizens of Britain of their liberties. Patriots. It will be understood why the persons who advocate conscription, tariff reform, Irish and Indian coercion, and anti-alien legislation all hang together, when one discovers that their birthplaces are chiefly off English soil. First of all comes a noble patriot, the editor of the "Daily Express,” Air. Ralph D. Blumenfeld, born in Wisconsin (U.S.A.). From that interesting journal of the Press Club, "The Club Lyre,” we quote the follow ing "Agony”: "Tariff Reformers wanted. —-Naturalisation fees paid. Address (in confidence), Blumenfeld, Bride-street.” This American gentleman with the German name is noted for his bitterness against the unfortunate alien. The "Daily Telegraph" has been conspicuous for its advocacy of "the four shams.” Mr. Le Sage, a striking "English" name,

is editor; but the proprietor’s name is quite a dissolving view. He was originally Mr. Edward Levy; he then became Air. Edward Levy Lawson, then Sir Edward Lawson, Bart.; now he is Lord Burnham. The -Daily Mail” is owned and edited by two Irishmen. Lord Northc'iiTe of shanghai, and Mr. Thoma- Marlowe. and is busily engaged in slandering Irishmen. It advocates “Territorialism,” presumably in order that Englishmen may l»e hired to shoot down the countrv men of its editor and proprietor. The Standard” is edited by Mr. H. A. wynne, who is an Irishman: and its virulence against the Irish nation is onlv equalled by the ’Daily Mail." Lastly, there r * J. Maxse. editor of the ••National Review,” another Jingo with an "all-British” name. 1 lie ’’Stage” is another organ used by this precious collection of ’’Englishmen.” ”An Englishman's Home” is a play written by a patriotic ••Englishman.” who has modestly concealed his identity. We understand he rejoices in the truly English name of -Du Maurier.” The song. -Bravo, Territorials!” is composed by Mr. Herman E. Darewski: the ballad. ’*An Englishman’s Home” is composed by Mr. Edward Teschemacher; and “A Call to Arms” is written by Miss Ethel de Fonblanque. The number of foreign ladies and gentlemen who are lecturing the British workman and clerk on their duty to their country is really very remarkable. By Royal Command. Englishmen are an extraordinary race, and one would have thought that England could have bred an English king. The present ruler. Edward VII of Saxe<oburg and Gotha, belongs to the House of Hanover, which may account for his pronunciation of the English language. He is an interfering individual, as will be seen from the following incident: — M. Pelissier i when shall we come across an English name in this article?!, of the Follies, desired to produce a skit on "An Englishman's Home.” in hi- wellknown series of ’Potted Plays” In this “Potted Play” everything was to be labelled “Made in Germany”—like the House of Hanover.—but the Play Censor stepped in. and forbade the production. Here is a summary of the play's con elusion: When the invaders arrive, the officer in charge recognises Mr. Brownwurst as his long-lost uncle: and Mr. Brownwurst asks his nephew what he is doing in England. -\\’e have come to take England." is the reply. He retorts, -You are too late; we have taken England years ago.” Finally. the invaders agree to settle down and become naturalised Englishmen liecause it will be cheaper than warlike operations. Mr Redford. as censor of plays, wired to M. Pelissier forbidding the production. The next day the London Press had a number of interviews with M. Pelissier. On Thursday afternoon the King, through Lord Knollys, sent a message direct from the Palace to M. Pelissier requesting him to cease making communications to the Press. M. Pelissier promptly obeyed the King's orders. It is clear, therefore, that the Lord Chamberlain refused the license at the direct behest of the King. Why this anxiety on the King's part to prevent a harmless skit? What business has the King to intervene in a matter of this kind? It was a gross ami unwarrantable infringement of personal liberty. The British workman is being deluded by this unholy alliance of Jew financiers. American and Irish journalists and peers, into the belief that conscription is a worthy ideal. Facts. We propose to quote some facts, for which we are indebted to •John Bull's Army from Within." by Robert Edmondson, ex-sergeant 21st Hussar-, and ex squadron-sergeant-major 35th Imperial Yeomanry. Lord Roberts has demanded 300.000 men to protect the Indian frontier. Mr Edmondson's lxx>k reveals what the condition of the Indian Army is. according to the Army medical reports: “In 1902. though there were only 60.540 European troops, all told, in India, there were 65.288 admission- into hospital with general di sea-vs. < >f these 889 men died, whilst no fewer than 2254 were invalided home. Mark, now. the part that-vxual disease by itself plays. In 1902 in India the enormous number of 12.696 men were admitted into the hospital suffering from this disease alone. . . Turn now to the Home Army. The strength in 1902 was 93.665.

Of these, there were admitted into hospital with sexual disease. 11.490. We arrive at the fact that, in a total of 154.205 troops, no fewer than 24,176 cases of sexual disease were brought to light. That is, aliout one in every six: and this is a specially healthy year.” Turning to the French Army, which is a conscript army, M. Dumont has stated

that “it is a school of drunkenness, of idleness, and of debauchery.” The German Army is honeycombed with unnatural vice, as well as sexual disease, though the former is largely confined to the officers. Soldiers would be as good citizens as

other people in ordinary circumstances. The abominable diseases, of which they are the unhappy victims, are due to the enforced celibacy of barrack life and to their inadequate rates of pay. The soldier is treated so damnably that men only join the army as the alternative to starvation. Misery is the chief recruiting agent for the English Army.

We cannot believe that the British workman will be fooled by this coterie of men whose patriotism consists in libelling the countries which have unfortunately given them birth, into submitting themselves to this degrading existence.

Princess Stephanie of Belgium.

The Duchess of Devonshire is a daughter of the Marquess of Lansdowne, and married Mr. A ictor Cavendish, now Duke of Devonshire, in 1892. In the picture she is shown with her two youngest daughters, the Ladies Dorothy and Rachel Cavendish.