Page
THE CONSCRIPTION BILL. A REPLY TO MK. JENKIN.
I seed to have made you angry, Mr. Jenkin. The second series of inter rogatories which you trumpet forth have un-acid flavour. Why do you Jabour w
A FARABLE.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FERDAY, JUNE 14rm, 1018.
Now it came to pass that there was
war in the land. And the men of the
CORRESPONDENCE,
"WILL THEY SIT TIGHT?"
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BONGKONG
DAILY PRESS "
Hong, Imperial work, while my British boys nro now being taught by women be Jush youthful masters are doing their duty at the front.
Until this wretched and sordid episode island called Hong were cxcceding hardy and warlike, and some of them said.
took place I loved Hongkong, I asked for Sin,--The one question to which the no better inspiration for my children than Let us go Home and fight, for we are
married men Affected by the Bill want the story of what their point that is perfectly cleart Why do sorely needed.? And some went to light, an answer is this:Can any one proventild up this Colonyers did to If it were swept you repent queries which have already but there were many that aid within any sugle man from going to the front
gare of buildings by German guns to been fully answered? I told you plainly themselves: Wherefore should we fight if he really wants to go? Let us maging row would fill
remainan when there are others to fight for us?”
that we had a Rupert Brooke (quoted inspiration for our sons. They would, at the outset that a number of men- would not remain here, where it was and, besides, peradventure we might get so aptly by the Governor on Empire Day)
as soon as the war was ended, commnenes considered essential that they hauld killed and then some unworthy person amongst us, and that he had made "gain to do what their forefathers did. remain, snless they were brought under would swank" in our places. And some his mind to go. (Efe would of course, and, if, wo win the war, they would ra Act of Conscription. They did not hid themselves in their dens and became have gone three years ago.) If his cm build a new and a greater Hongkong. want any excuse to keep their jobs, There indispensable, while others, discovered player bad talked about money, or trade, We can, if we are British, win in trade noor in the forin of your first ques that their heart or limbs were bad and Rupert Brooke would have spoken of the after the war. (If we lose the war, tion which leaves an unpleasan! Laste in this they did not serve,
soul and have said, in words that would nothing matters.)
But to da But to do anything. the mouth. It is unworthy of you. In
have became immortal and have made great in a world stricken by this awful no circumstances will these inen be
us of other words spoken nearly two shalt need mon with a vision beyond their
Now it came to pass that a certain
said Behold, all our men are valiant
content to remain Was it strange, was Chamber, which controlled maay men, Hongkong famous, something to remind calamity, we shall need great men. We
it unreasonable, seeing that they are
forced to keep away from the fighting in and wish to fight, and verily we shall thousand years ago, and true for all ledgers. here is little hope of a genera which they are anxious to take part. that loss them all, for they love fighting Eternity." What does it profit a man tion of stugle young men who will reinain
they should demand that that force bo
17
Let us therefore ask for
·But they
other lands who were also brave and war like received none of those things. More over, there were sailors and soldiers in Hong who had fought in the war and did car honourable wounds, and these men had scarce enough to live 01, although the men of the Chamber once saved them from actual misery. Nevor. the leas, there were still heroes in Hong, whose salate was only a few shillings weekly, which, when converted into dollars at two-and five or six, left very little for pleasure, But these men were common men, whereas those of Hong, wared fat and prosperous, and some indeed were super-men And it came to pass that there was in the island of Hong a long and bitter controversy as to which of these super-men should be allowed to go and which kept behind. And some wanted to go, but there were many who wanted not And son who were not anxious to go quickly were given many months to nr range their affairs. But meanwhile the war raged fiercely.
Why it is the very essence of this here to see women made widow and war that the British are fighting to save children made orphans, because they did souls, and the Germans are fighting not go to the war. There is still less
extend their trade..
se hope of that generation that bids them After August, 1014, any single man remain content" with legislation de could have thrown up his job, refused signed to "hilowash them at the Ex- to work for any employer--including the pense of the agony of women and child- local Government-und no judge or jury roth in the Colony would have dared to pul
The young men in England gave the his in prison if he gave at a reason that only possible naiver more than two years be wanted to go to the front. And if ago. What will the young men of Hong- he had gone to prison he would indeed kong dot Will they make the name of have shown that the spirit is greater than
this Colony a bye-word? money Who will do it now ?
now, and then, if needs he, we will cheer fully send the married men to fill up the gaps in thely ranks. Will they sit tight ?"
Will they sit tig Upon their answer rests the fair name of the Colony. Yours faithfully,
great.
But let us drop this talk aliout money, and retaining jobs, to young men who, if they are like their brothers in England, want to give something that money cannot buy.
Tensorfpition erted only after conscription. To my and get die men exempted, so that they mind their position is unassailable. Even cannot fight, and though they be alive now it is sometimes unthinkingly said after the war, yet shall it not be a re “Oh, if a man really wanted to go unproach unto them. And lo conscription power could stop him." I tell you it is one, but it was not pleasant to the men Rot, so. It is there men, Mr. Jenkin-loyal, of the Chamber, who were shorn of their patristic, absolutely sincere upon whom power. So they protested and tried to you now cast aspersions with all the cast away their own child. publicity which you can command. Your could not do so, for emiscription was in innuendoes are bitterly resented. It was the hands of wily men and elever.
Now a certain man called Jen taunted to save themselves from such critics as. you, if by chance they had to remain, the men of the Chamber with these things, saying words which were exceeding bitter that they adopted the attitudo they did.
This talk of trade and ' Imperial in For whom are you holding a brief is And the men of the Chamber were very angry, for, inadvertently they had raised it the Government? Whoever gave you the most expensive army in the world.terests is mostly comouflage and selfon your instructions has only given you half. For bebold, the wives of the men of Hongness. Does any suño person imagine that Lake. You appear to be particularly cumshaw for their children when Mr. Holyoak's firm, Mr Stabb's firm
received 8200 pa month and plenty of formed. I will now give you a few
when or Mr. Landale's arm would shut down moro facts, and then, perhaps, you will
entirely if all the single young men left drop the "argument and apologise to
them at once? Would any other concern. those whom you have endeavoured to hold
case to exist? The profits might be fess up to ridicule. Over a year ago a deputa
they should pay excess profits whatever tion of eligible men waited upon H.E. tho Governor and asked that they might be
happens and the inconvenience night b
freed from their bondage and allowed to Light for their country. But Phutosh hardened his heart and would not let the people go." Again the young men pro ferred a request" If you cannot let us go give us at least a certificate which we
uay be ablo
to
produce as proof that we did not sturk on the time of our Empire's greatest need." But Pharoal consulted the tablets bound in red tape and replied that the laws of the land would not permit the issue of any such certificates under a Military Service Ordinance Only under conscription could such verti Bicates be granted. The young men were of such single purpose that they ventured to criticise this strange decree. "If, my lord and master, you can prevent us from doing our duty as we see it, surely, you can give us your decision in writing to serve as a shield against the slings and arrows of those who will cast doubt upon our sincerity, But Pharoah replied :--- What I have said, I have said."' .
The young men later took counsel
themselves.
We are told they that we are essential to the Colony, bat it is whispered that there are still few who could be spared. Woll, let thoso teen stand forth and take our job there are unessential men who will not go, let them carry on in our places, and let us do the fighting. We shall not regard them as usurpere; we will welcome them with our whole heart and soul as those who will relieve us from an intolerable position. It was this attitude which led them to forec the hands of those in authority over them until an Act of Conscription was placed on the Statute Book. It is to these men, Mr. Jenkin, that you address the following insulting
questions:--
I
And it came to pass when all were ready to go, inany moons had clapsed and many men had been killed. Therefore peace was declared, but the enemy had gained mnzy lands and would not give them up without recompense. Therefore the island of Hong was given to the enemy in exchange for that which be held Then the wealth of the men of Hong was taken from theth; their women and children were ill-treated, and they that stayed behind became even as slaves and were kept in great subjection. And their misery was so grent that they would fain. have fought, but lu! it was then too late. And they lost the freedom that their father's and their fathers fathers had fought for and won for them, and ended their days in shame and poverty.
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63.
"BUSINESS IS BUSINESS."
THE ISSUE OBSCURE, [TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKUNG
TO THE EDITOE OF THE KONGKONO
DAILY PRESS. BIR-May I seck the favour of a little of your valuable space to ask Mr. P. H. Holyoak to enlighten short-sighted people like "Looking to Kirkes (by the way, does he know what Kirkeo is like ?) what Mr. Holyoak, the people's tribune" it really means if we lose our grip of Far Eastern trade i Isuppose "Look- may represent the vested interests of the ing to Kirkee, when the war is over, Chamber of Commuree, but he ignores the will be looking to Hongkong and squeal sentiment of the British women of the if his job is not ready and waiting for him. Commercial men like Mr. Holyoak Colony. Suppose he were 30 years can explain better than I exactly what age. Would his wife like him to go to will happen if local firms are so depleted India or Masopotamia, while young men of their staffs as to make it impossible for them to compete with near neighliners chain to increase dividends and play italic please, Mr. Editor). I enclogs ganes in Hongkong? Any constituy card Yours, etc., fol tional reform, worth the name, would give women the vote, and if the British women of this Colony could vote on this mutter not a single British unmarried young man would be in Hongkong next month. Mr. Holyoak wants to help to win the war; but, like the man in the purable, he is now sorrowful because he may have to give up a little of that thing, trade, for which the Germans waged this war. And married men, with families, like you and my husband, Mr Editor, are to be sent away from the Colony in order to make widows and orphans, so that the young men may re. main content.” And the cxcuse which Mr. Holyoaks and the Chamber of Com enroe will use to console the widow and the fatherless will be that their young men are more expert than my husband or myself at adding up their money
might be spared if the Bill was of general application; and, secondly, that those remaining might be satisfied in their pon- sciences, that they were doing their duty to the Empire. When it was found that only men of pure European descent were to be taken, they realised that the They will solemnly insult me with a story results must be negligible, but the Bill that the minutest fraction of the trade Is it true that the commercial houses was proceeded with on the understanding of the Empire was worth all my tears
which pressed for the general application of that British interests, Conscription to this Colony for then, appeared to be in grave danger, should and agony and my children's loss of a As far as father. In times of peace, trade is in- be adequately safeguarded. zarried and single, in order that this talk of
their own interests caring might remain content to continue at
your
at the
of expense
other interests in the portant and, if conducted honestly, is Posta?
Colony is concerned, I think the Chamber is patriotic. In times of war, in these might reasonably say it presumes that those other interests have already made days of blood and agony and tears, it sacrifices similar to the commercial and an outrage to tell young men that trado
ba afraid of differ therefore, need not
is of more importance than guns in the
Did you considor from whence these
married
men were going to come? Did you know that they were not to be drawn from your own number?,
Is it not a pretty heavy price for your contentment?
Will you sit tight?
ntial treatmenother point about which a
is
trenches. And the fighting age great deal has been written tho sub- great I hold no brief for anyone, but a more stantial commercial majority" on the from 18 to 30 years. njust and mischievous form of attack it.
Tribunal It is said that this was Sixty or seventy years ago the Amer would be impossible to conceive. It is demanded in order, once again, to guard
cans had a great trade in the Far East. nud-throwing in the hope that some will the commercial houses. What about the stick and hurt. It is ingenious because
of appeal? Upon the They lost most of it; but the war for it takes for granted something which hine Executive Council two lawyers had seats which they sacrificed their trade gave no existence in fact. You have taken, as compared with one commercial an apparently, a leaf from the book of that Naturally considering all the circum-to the world, for fifty years, a charter elebrated Counsel; who once asked... a stances which have led to the introduction of liberty. It gave to the American na
at the last moment,
unlimited
his wife and demanded a plain" yes" or the
no" for an answer.
soul?
Let us drop the camouflage of the youth supporting his mother or sister, By all means insure him, but his mother can shape her future without him; my father-
DAILY PRESS.!!]
Sin, Though it appears Juurd to realize it after reading some of the recent cor respondence anent the Conscription Bill, it is doubtless the wish of everyone to let us many men as possible yo, taking This is surely the only basis on which into account Imperial necessities" patriots should work, and the sooner much letters as thst written by Mr. F. C. Jenkin, and which appeared in your paper this morning, are stopped the better. They merely obscure the issue and it is hard to keep them free of pers sonel animus. free of per
The duty of the Tribunal is to free the maximum number of men and exempt the minimum. This will satisfy the men attacked by Mr. Jonkin, and, I trust, not sidered in his letter who have been sit unduly depress others (if any) not con- ting is light as they know, Yours faith
*TIRED." fully,
Hongkong, 13th June, 1918.
“THE HONGKONG
CONSCRIPT"
The Hongkong conscript nearly always
suffery with his heart,
It plays a mighty part.
Any unusual exercise
Would put him in the cart.”
The Hongkong conscript very often has
defective sights MARS
He can't tell black from white, He's never certain-quite
It won't be worth a tinker's dam
To send him boms to fight.
The Hongkong conscript usually has
water on the knee
In a very marked degree
As bad as bad can be,
In fact, except when playing games, He's hardly ever free,
The Hoogbong conscript's tooth are very
often troublesome,
witness whether he had stopped beatipneral spoke of the tion a soul. It was worth losing a little Those who asked for Conscription, those pity there might be of closing down small trade to do that. Will Hongkong find its
businesses and seriously curtailing others, who have all along clamoured for it the unofficial members presumably con to guard themselves from each ungenerous sidered that the understanding to nafe- erities as you, Mr. Jeakin-are whole guard British trade interests was being heartedly desirous of going to the Front ignored. They were given an assurance They do not care about the details of the in your own words, Mr. Jenkin, that measure. They do not want others to trade in and out of the Colony would be
that they may snake a sacrifice in order they do not be satisfied with an oral assurance when losa children will lose their guide in life. cafeguarded but would you, sa n lawyer. be given clean ticket " care whether others go or stay. This surely the safeguards might just as easily have should be enough to convince any reason been embodied in the Bill. If you are fair, able man of
of their disinterested willing you will admit that you would not. Yon matter further nor pursue would be the first to argue that a written Influence: will be used to throw a smoke to simply Vere de Vere✨
contract must be assumed to embody the over the heroes who will stay not & member of the Committee full
the result of
negotiations between scree
mess to serve, and I will
the
They irritate the gum, sem They affect the cerebrum,
If he had to live.on bully beef
14
It would quite upset his tum. There are funk holes" in Hongkong B
and the women know where they are The Hongkong conscript's wife and child,
It must be made quite clear
They prompt the roady tear.
In every sense they seem to be of the Chamber of Commerce, but the the parties to it. Therefore there was in the funk holes, while the fathers stand the Committee have taken appears nothing strange or unreasonable in the are sent to stop German bullets. Youths
**** Exceptionally dear.
to me to be absolutely sound. They can- opposition of the unofficial members to under thirty will come before the The Hongkong conscript's business worth not spare more men if a great part of the third reading, you are curious Tribunal, and influenes will whisper their business is not to go by the hourd. Finally, Mr. Jenkin,
They asked for conscription for a two as to the identity of "Roderick Random." fold reason-first, to provide men of Well, I promise to let you into the scoret whom it was still probable that some few when we are drilling together at Kirkee.
(Continued of foot of next column.)
RODERICK RANDOM,
Mysteriously about "Imperial interests"
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