1917-05-28 — Page 7

MEN FOR THE ARMY. LORD DERBY'S STATEMENT. "MORE DRASTIC MEASURES."

In the House of Lords last month, the Earl of Derby, in moving the second reading of the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Bill, said in the other House it was suggested that it might be possible to have special medical appeal bourds. He tund considerclusion that it

SMUTS OF AFRICA,

CHARACTER SKETCH OF A STRONG MANA

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, MAY 25TH. 1917.

KY J., IN THE DAILY CHRONICLE.]

Jan Smuts began at the shank-end of our continent driving geose. He is now near the Line driving Germans. Will that be the final stage fa

It

TWO

AND A HALF YEARS WITH THE GERMANS. ENGLISHMAN'S LIFE IN NORTHERN FRANCE

THE PLIGHT OF LILLE.

A STRICKEN TO WOR Several times I travelled farther afield. and visited Lille. There was much, in this great manufacturing town to give food for reflection, Its throbbing in- dustrial life was paralysed, its spindle and looms idle, ita tona of thousands. work people unemployed. Lálls had paid to the German taskmasters its tribute of Of the ramifications of Kultur as the slaves, and its homes and workshops, hatt Parklaga shared a been despoiled. It was another Roubaix,

But Lille other trials was no end. The soldiers who tore

Sansowany unknown in the smaller town. It was a 10,000 people, hundreds of them mere fortified place, and it had paid the

IV

an interesting question, to us as

its own people, for he is now Germans, inculcated it in Roubaix there doubled in magnitude, which were in Londo and had come to the was quito impossible to set up such affairs. We

and

that the work of the Royal Army always as South Africa once said homes and sent them to slavery the menrated by the German guna, The Rue boards. Some people seemed to think a lawyer, a soldier, a statonality, schoolboys and young girls, from their penalty. Whole streets had been oblite-

Medical Corps was unattended with 40 doctors had been killed or wounded danger. So far from this being the case, in the Somine battle alone, and the medical staff it the present time was not, perhaps, critically short, but lamentably short. He was prepared to allow niedical certificates given by private practitioners to be taken into account, but he would give no undertaking that these certificates would be accepted as conclusive. In each

Somchody in

papers.

ASON OF THE YELDT.

Young Jan was raised?! on the veldt and the living spirit which it gives has been in all his career. He came to Cam bridge, did brilliantly as a student,

a band in Imperial known him by name as

original Botha sits all day at a spotless table who pillaged houses and shops for metal; Faidherbe, the Rue de Béthune, the Rue with a rectangle of virginal blotting the gendarmes who terrorized the whole de Paris, the Rue de Tournai, the Place paper before him, Smuts burrows his way,countrytide these were only the chief of du Theatre, and others of the streets. om morning to night through moun the missionaries of the new gospel. They near the railway station were reduced to brought in their train a swarm of mis ruins. Not all the devastation was tains of official

cellaneous agents, fess brutal in their wrought by gunfire. There are many in methods, but more insidious, Lille who can tell you that the au Not many days after the occupation detachments of the captors go from house of t town numbers of German civilians, to house, compelling the tenants at the while their homes were set afire, and that up quarters among us..........

the Germans cut off the water supply of the town to prevent any attempt to check the flames. The wreckage remains to-day, a monument to German infamy. A large section of the town is an indescribable heap of masonry, charred timber and rubble, over which towers, the gaunt chimney of a six-storey tenement house

Around this scene of desolation re- velves the life of the garrison. Large numbers of German troops are always to be found in the town and among the field fortifications which have been built

CBO it must be left to the doctor examined law in South Africa, “anti- women as well as men, arrived and took point of the revolver to stand by the

or not the man was fit for service.

Bergson there, in one of many ing on behalf of the Army to say whether things he wrote, found fame in the Boer They socmed at first to have no definite war, and has grown in fame ever since. This was not a popular measure, and Here is a word portrait of him before the purpose in view, that before long the reason for their presence became up no one recognized that more than he did. war:

**** Imagine a**

apulo-faced, tremendously parent They were the emissaries of the to be taken to all the ranks of the Army serious-looking young man, who appeared German Secret Service, and their main Ff this was going to be the only measure he would be extremely reluctant to stand much taller than he really was, owing to occupation was espionage. Much of their sponsor for it. But there would have to a thinness; given to holding converse time was spent in the trancars and cafés be taken larger and far more drastic with the pavement, always in thought, listening to the conversation of the town~-~- measures to secure for the Army the men wnd seemingly taking no notice of what for a chance remark which could be went on around him, with high chock turned to account. Sometimes they sential, when such a measure was brought and the hungry look that betokens would go cavesdropping among the required, and it would be absolutely es

to incorporate in it the provisions may remind is grappling with soldiers or walk about the Belgian from of this bill. Mr. Bonar Law had stated any problems.

And here is another vignette of him tier spying upon the sentries, accurately that we were 100,000 men down since the beginning offer the war, that of a man it had

ripened physically and mentally the year in our Army requirements. There were many people who would adva

more than

ente immediate and very drastic measures.

He saw the need for action as quickly

and

THE AGENTS OF OPPRESSION.

outside it.MANA

The lot of the soldiers is made as ezay as possible by those over them.

Newspapers, magazines and periodicals of every kind are provided in abundance A cinematograph hall helps to while sway the time; it is the only picture hall which

remains open.

as many, but be equally saw the absolute had been diminished by had gained cellar to garret, hunting in the most town fell was in course of construction

Atheatre which at the time when the

has been completed under the direction of the German authorities and decorated

strength, the nation would only act as a His resourcefuluces as a soldier, his remove the backs of picture frames." months ago it was formally opened by

balans the needs of those i industries bach vero indispensable. Until it was brought home to the country the absolute necessity of putting forward its whole traitor to itself, to ita Allies, and to posterity. We had never been traitors, he felt sure that any sacrifice required the country would he made. Few gople could have any doubt that the war but if the victory was to be complete we would end in a victory for the Allies. must have a military and naval victory He did not think there was anything more painful than to have to stand up, either in that House or in the country, to beg for men to be sent either volun tarily or by legislation, to fight for this try having declared its intention of carrying on the war to the bitter end, was not going to stop short of any mea Bure that would help it to do that.

Now and again some unfortunate Gone was the pallor of his face, gone townsman would find his house invaded also the thinness of his frame. His skin by a party of soldiers under the con- was now clear with the ruddy glow of mand of an officer. Without offering any health. The ascetic cast of his features explanation of the visit, the men would He to work to search the bonge from remarkably, not only in fesh, but in chest inconceivable places for something which measurement. His expression had chang: they believed to be hidden. They would ed from one of constant brooding until it they trip the beer from the walls and bespoke alertness and vigour. instinct for the art of war, have been seen daring his recent line Fast African cam pain as British general Bis like quies when he was our sweet enemy In the Boer war are illustrated by this little incident one night took his camp by surprise, and Owing to a native's trenchery the troops in absolute silence. Most of his men got away, but, incredible though it may seem, he himself was left sleeping the loc notice board there. Many of the towns OFRIORES AND JOY-RIDES” exhaustion among some bushes in the people, however, declined to be satisfied Gatsrand range of hills. When he awoke with that explanation, preferring to it was some time before he could believe believe, possibly not altogether without

hccording to German tastes. Some

The only justification given for these the Crown Prince of Bavaria, and per domiciliary visits was the receipt by the formances are now given there by com- Kommandant of anonymous letters, pre-paules from Germaity Posters o sumably written by some one who nursed nouncing the plays are displayed in a grievance against the householders sub- Roubaix and Tourcoing as well as Lille,

to have been received at the Kommand and from outlying is jccted to the inquisition. To give colour and on Sunday special theatre trains and to this excuse a number of letters alleged trame are runs to carry the soldiers to

districts antar were exhibited on a glass-fronted

Shops staffed by Germau girls and men have been opened for the sale of tobacco, biscuits, tinned foods, cap badges and For the officers at least one house, the Café Bellevue, las been taken over.

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67

country. But he believed that the coun-the-ovidence of his eyes, which persisted cause, that the rod informers wife the in the ane te lexed one refreshmUFLER PALMER & CO'S ASAHI BEER.”

LORD CREWE'S SUPPORT.

peked whether it would not have been

Among the auxiliaries of the Germans were certain Flemings, who sold their services to the enemy, in a score of ways When the Germans appropriated the

in telling him that he was surrounded by secret agents whose presence and prac. khaki. He no sooner realised his predica tices were notorious. ment than he began to devise methods for getting away, lo which he succeeded before THE BEING EVE

many minutes had passed

man inwardly; light.

blue eyes that will - sometimes assume a grey tint, or appear like the

Loaded on lorries by Flemings. I saw

One of the most curious features of Lille is the extraordinary number of officers encountered in a casual stroll

nots joy-riding in

commandeered

The Marquis of Crewe said it had been vio is a man outwardly the eyes are stocks of wool and piece goode, the booty through any part of the town. They can simpler on the whole, instead of engaging in the necessarily elaborate machinery demanded by this bill to obtain a num ber of recruits such as would be required for the next three or six months to keep pur forces at their present strength by souna raising of the jacture from what

14.

THE WORK OF THE WOMEN,

The account I nave already given of the plight of the people of Roubaix is equally applicable to the inhabitants of Lille The control over their movements is rather more strict, in view of the mili tary importance of the town. The food problem is also rather more serious, partly owing to the size of the popula tion and partly owing to the greater distance which separates them from Belgium the land of plenty beyond the frontier. But in spite of all they have Lille share with all their fellow citizens suffered and are suffering, the people of

table determination to hold out until they of the Department du Nord an unalter- are freed from the German incubus.

About a year ago there occurred “out-

side Lille a tremendous explosion. Eight miles away, in Roubaix, the shock sccined of any German who chose to me them to make the ground rock, and all sprang Sometimes, tired of reading and card from their beds in wonderment. The

Government not ask that portion of the habit and the homeliness of his attire, no farm labourers had gone, but the women through the air for a mile around.

less

Visit

ease:

azure of the ocean. Their normal expres German non-commissioned oficers hand motorcars, they are swaggering along, sion is haunting penetration! They them their wages at the end of the day, og gas and staring with a supercilious monooled eye at every pretty suggest a vian of resource and surprise, When the enemy wanted trenches made. girl who passe. So many are they and one who is himself first, last and all the Flemings dug them at 4) marks (4s 6d) so immovably stationed in Lille that occasion. always the ran for any for them, and guarded railway crossings French people, with what foundation 1 though day. Flemings repaired railway lines there 18 rooted conviction among the was to

During a conversation he may discon to release soldiers for the front

cannot say, that they have secured their Lord Derby had said that he did not sverlook the possibility that that expediert you, if you do not know him, for he

Gangs of them came to Roubaix by immunity from real warfare either by eve might yet have to be kept in reserve, has a trick of suddenly jumping up, full train from Belgium each morning, under purchase or by influence, but he did not desire to press him on the of electrical energy and infectious joy. the charge of German foremen, and point if the Government thought it de The next time you visit him, he will keep returned across the frontier at night, surable to proceed by this more compli- his eyes fixed on the coiling, or bead over One of my acquaintances who knew sted method. The success of a measure his papers as a signal that he is not in Flemish told me they had confessed to this kind depended on the care with mood for talk. He has more than a him that they undertook these tasks quite which it was administered. If there spice of the devil politely called, temper voluntarily for the invader, and indeed were any recklessness in its administra- ment Ostentation is as impossible to him tion which caused it to become known as cringing would be At most times his it was obvious enough that they were that unfit men had been returned to the attitude is perhaps too dotached to com-under no restraint,

mend him to the bantering familiarity of ranks before they were able to render the masses. Why in the face of this he

The privilege which the Fictish labour proper service, or if cases occurred in should be to us Oom Jannie or simply which it was proved that men had been Tannie," while no one ever speaks of ers enjoyed of travelling by train was General Botha as Oom Louis" (still less tion and the other Allied subjects in this

rigorously denied to the native popula withdrawn from occupationa necessary in the national interests in order to swell inks of the Army the Government of the minor mysteries of mankind. atheless, to wander at will through the as Louis") I cannot say. That is one part of France. We were free, never

No man looks better in khaki than could not be surprised if somewhat harsh criticism followed. He sincerely hoped General Smuts, but a "brass bat does country between Lille and Roubaix and there would be no cause for such criti- not take away in the least from his vivid within a short distance of the frontier, cism, mid he supported the bill personality. He is an instance of the man subject, of course, to the production of Viscount Chaplin declared that there and clothes, not of clothes and the man our papers of identity on the denind was one part of the United Kingdom in Says his biographer Mr M Levi- which there would be no difficulty in As a man-about-town, he dresses more Anding a great field for recruiting, carefully than the average South African playing, and yearning for the freedom next morning we learned that an explo.. ny. Iroland. If the position was as (dress, is not a strong point with us),, yet of the open airs I went for a tramp gives raagazine in the fortifications had namely seemed to be, why did the without even a suspicion of dandyism through the fields. Work on the land blown up, Filling and injuring many On his farm he falls into the general on steadily. Many of the French soldiers and hurling huge blocks of stone United Kingdom to contribute its fair

bis nttitude towards the welcome share of the men who were required?

would put the most hashful at his tural life, and with the help of German mans passed round stories of treachery

of rural Franco are inured to agrical Following their usual, custom, the Ger The Earl of Derby said the reason why this bill was brought in now wan in the

Strong without being still far-seeing soldiers they sept every acre of the arable instigated by the English. The fact hope that the Government might get it without being a prophet, young enough to land under cultivation. Particular at that shortly after the disaster they were through before Easter, whereas a larger have his bost career before him. General tention was given by the enemy to the seen to throw large quantities of powder and more contentious measure would Smuts is a remaritable contribution by growing of potatoes Last year they into the river Marc points to another certainly not have secured passage Greater Britain to the forces guiding our forbade under heavy penalties the dig explanation through both Houses. This was not an altomative; it was's supplementary bill. tion of him presents us to an Afrikander and this year potatoes are to be planted some of the astounding discoveries which part of Armageddon Mr. Jovi's exposi ging of the potato crop before August, in my next message I shall describe It dealt only with a part of the great leader who has thought deeply, is a swift on every spare piece of land. I made in Belgium. Before passing from problem that had to be faced. The fact man of action, and who might be a hero There was one striking ga

g gap in the y experiences on the French aids of the of setting this bill now would, he hoped, to his valet if he had one. But he has picture Nowhere did I 200 & cow, or border, I have two incidents to ord enable a considerable number of men to none, literally or figuratively, for he has be examined oven before Parliament reattained the only true independence, sheep, or a pig. All the cattle bad In all the weary months of 1815 and assembled after the recess. Lord Crewe which consists in a man doing his own been taken by the enemy. Most of the 1016 I saw only five men of the British horses also had gene. Even the old Army. They were brought into Roubaix had asked that men should not be taken work."

weak-looking animals that remaibed as prisoners, and they stood for a few away from work of national importance.

were periodically examined and some minutes in the roadway waiting for a The noble Marquis was under a misap prehension. These men would be under

taken, Chickens were plentiful, but the trancar to carry them a further stage exactly the same conditions na regarded

keeping of them was conditional on the towards captivity. I tried to get near employment as any other men who were The bill having been read a second payment of a tell to the Kommandantur to them with a handful of cigarettes, but before I could elbow a way through the of one egg and a half per hen per crowd of Germans and civilians who badged or certified for exemption. There time, the House went into Committee.

month fore, the only men who would be taken The Earl of Derby said he had arrang

surrounded them a car came up and they for the Army would be those who camed with the President of the Board of

were gone Over the shoulders of the within the bill, and had not been exempt Agriculture that where there were men

crowd, however I could see that, el by tribunals or badged by the Ministry who the Army thought ought to be

although all of them were wounded, they of Munitions. He agreed that the bill called up for medical examination a list

were defiantly cheerful One of them vog would have to be worked with the great should be prepared, and the representa

munching a lump of chicoslate est possible care, and the Governmenttivo of the Army and the local repte would do everything they could to adsentative of the Board should consult and minister it in a considerate manner. He ascertain whether or not the men on the did not wish in any way to minimise the list were whole time agriculturists. If it Hanger and dificulty of the position. But were agreed that they were whole-time he wanted the country clearly to under agriculturists they would be marked off stand that he was perfectly certain all and not called up, but if they were not the men who were wanted for the Army the Army authorities would be entitled and the Navy were there, and could be to call them up, and the man would then got without destroying our vital indus have the right under the Military Ser tries. With regard to Ireland Lordvice Act to appeal to the local Tribunal, Chaplin would forgive him if he did not and, if necessary, to the Appeal Tribunal

o into that very thorny subject, although The bill, having been reported to the House without amendment, was read a (Continued at fuot of next column.)...

third time and passed.

be admitted that it was one deserving of careful consideration.

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Occasionally I made excursions to Tourcoing, a commune which adjoins Roubaix on the side towards Lille. My first venture out of doors, after the coming of the Germans, took me there I had immurod myself for about two The other incident I personally did not months while the invaders were settling witness. Last year & British aeroplane down, and it was with some trepidation was brought down by the famous Captain that I set out on the journey. I went Booleke at Lannoy, just outside Roubaix, on foot-it was only a matter of a couple and the pilot and observer lost- their of miles-and when I found that soldiers lives. They were buried with militery peased me without seeming unduly sus honours in Roubaix cemetery, in the pre- picious I gradually regained confidence, sence of many of the townspeople. I was

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DADY E