1935-06-12 — Page 7

TRUTH AND LIES IN

HISTORY

Interesting Talk At Rotary Club Meeting

"Every nation to-day thinks itself finer than any other, and for this the older form of history is largely to blame.

"The curious thing is that real history. as it is being re- written though it gives one some shocks, is far more interesting than mythical and legendary myths of a super-patriotic pa- ture"..

1)

The above was part of the interesting discourse on "Truth and Lies in History" delivered by. Rotarian R. T. Barrett at the held at the. Roof weekly tifan of the Rotary Club which was Garden, Hong Kong Hotel, yesterday.

Rotarian M. K. La. the president who was in the chair in- troduced the speaker and welcome was also extended to Dr. S. H. Tong of Hong Kong.

Addressing the meeting Mr. Bar- rett said:-

Perbups I should apologise for giving you to-day a paper of a more academic nature than is us- val at a Rotary Club. History is. however, the memory of the hu- man race, and humanity without history is like a man who has lost his memory.

་

The trouble" about history has always been. however, that it is as prone to error and to distortion as individual human memory. Just as every man, speaking of his past achievements, makes himself out rather a fine fellow so it has been with history. The Historian glori- fles his own people. He is advo cate and not judge.

A wise old schoolmaster of mine a Osborne Naval College once to think said "It is very right yourself a fine fellow but you will at once begin to go wrong if you think yourself a finer fellow than other people." Every nation to- day thinks itself finer than any other. and tor this the older form of history is largely to blame.

The curious thing is that real f history as it is being re-written, though gives one some shocks. 1s far more interesting than my- thical and legendary myths of a super-patriotic nature.

I am going to take two examples, one from the history of war the other from the history of peace.

First of all. the naval campaign In 1588 between the British Fleet and the Spanish Armada.

非

the term "Invincible Armada was never used in official Spanish do- cuments. Philip and his senior officers were. in fact, from the

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1935.

"LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

To-morrow's Meeting

Among eight votes totalling $24,822 which are to come" before the Finance Committee of the Legislative Connell at its next meeting is one for. $13,150 for cost of Silver Jubilee stamps.

It is explained that no provision" was made in the Estimates, is the proposals did not reach the Colony in sumclent time. It is anticipat- ed that sales to collectors and the resultant increase in revenue will offset the cost of the issue to a considerable extent, and the ordi-. rary issue, being temporarily with- drawn, will show a corresponding balance available for 1938.

Another vote is for $1.177 rent of Shum Chun railway station. It is explained that under the tarins of the new working agreement for through traffic between the chl- nese and British - Section of the

Section to pay for facilities pro-

first most doubtful about s ade-Rallway, it is, necessary for this quacy and the likely upshot of the campaign. The plan was for the Spanish feet to sail to theNe

therlands take on board the mag- nificent army of the Duke of Par- ma, and land it in England.

The man appointed to the com- mand Medina Sidonia. toq" the post against his own wish, at the urging of the King, because he was one of the great nobles o"" Spain, whom her admirals would obey, while they would probably not have obeyed one of their own number. He was 3 brave man who had done well in the crisis when Drake three years previously raided the Spanish coast.. ard burnt many ships preparing for the expedition, but he was no sa!- lor. and why he was appointed is still rather a mystery.

Altogether

the Spaniards had 40 big ships. of over 700 tons and some thirty between 350 and 700 tons,

ENGLAND'S ADVANTAGES One of England's great advan- tages well realised by her own

jeaders and by the Spanish King lay in the fact that she had in- vented a real fighting ship, with heavy guns, and a design and rig- ging suited to the bad weather . the North Sea and the

Atlantic.

vided by the Chinese section at

Shum Chun, the cost of mainter- ance In addition to interest on capital outlay.

JUBILEE GOLD CROWN

1.329 Applicants For

25 Coins

(Special Air Mall Service)

London, May 25.

The Royal Mint struck 25 specimens of the special crown plece issued for the Jublee in gold. In the eyes of numismatists these are gold patterns of the crown, of which 2,500 patterns have also been struck in the old standard silver of the fineness of 925. For the 25 gold patterns the Royal Mint received 1.329 applica- tions, and thei has been a ballot to decide who were to be the 1.304 disappointed applicants.

The demand for the silver pattern has also large that no more than one piece is being issued to each applicant. for The ordinary crown-piece

PEAK TRAMWAYS

Hold Annual Meeting

THE LS.S.

Continue To Pav Out

Shanghal, June. 8.

Presiding at the Annual General Meeting of the Peak Tramways Co... Ltd., Mr. D. Clark reported that the profit of the year was $35,-

Crowds in even greater numbers 421.66, 1.e. $5,838.43 short of last swarmed in and out of the Inter year's gure and despite the sav national Savings Society Buliding ings of $3,530.46 and $2,280.25 until a late hour last night and the run which Mr. M. Speetman, a respectively in Maintenance

Repairs Accounts and Salaries and director of the concern, describes Wages, the receipts in Traffic drop-as "a more or less trieadly affair" ped off $16,133.38.

and

A considerable saving had been cffected In the -Salories and Wages by which the current year's accounts will benefit to the full

Supporting the chairman were the following members of the Board of Directors: Messrs. A. B. Stewart, L. Kadoorie, and M. T. Johnson, Shareholders present were: Messrs

C. Lee, A, IL. Potts, J. H. Hum- phreys, and J. A. Tarrant,

|

is expected to continue to-day and possibly on Monday.

The ISS. has adopted a polley. of kindness toward the withdraw- ing bondholders and the huge lot- tery drawing hall on the second floor was turned over to those who wished to make withdrawals. This was done in order to give the ma- Jority of the crowd shelter from the hot sun and also so that routine bdiness might be non- ducted downstairs as usual..

The run, Mr. Speelman pointed and out, has not deterred ather bond-

CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH The Chairman said: Gentlemen.-The Report Statement of Accounts together with the Auditors Report having

been in your hands for the pre-

scribed period I propose with your approval to take them as read

The profit on the year's working Is $35,421.66, 2 falling off of $5,838.43 on the previous year's Agures. Traffic receipts are down $18.133.38, against this Maintenance and Repairs Account and Salaries and Wages are less by $3,530.46 and $2,280.25 respectively, whilst Special Repairs do tot gure the ac- counts at all. A considerable say ing has been effected in Salaries and Wages by which the current year's accounts will benefit to the full

During the year the ordinary Time Table was extended and Trans now run from 6 am, to 135 am, as against 7 am to 12.05 am. Late Trams are available from 1.45 a.m. to 3 am.. at reduced rates.

We feel sure that this extended service has been appreciated by passengers. particularly monthly

ticket holders.

THE NEW STATION standard

There been so

Is very Ittle in the Balance Sheet calling for special reference. The amount under the heading Stations, etc., has been increased by $3,450. This sum re- presents a proportion of fees due to the Architects of the new build- ing now being erected at the Low-

The Spanish ships with their blg.1935, which is of the present forecastles and stern castles, over- fineness of 500 and has a graining on the edge instead of the words Decva et Tutamen Anno Reghi

The conventional English ver- farge masts and light guns were

sion is something on these lines. The Tyranical Philip II. King of "Spain organised a Popish crusade against inoffending England, and

her gracious Queen Bess, sending a mighty fleet of 130 great ships full of soldiers. bristling with guns, and having instruments of torture by their holds. They were to conquer England, to establish the Spanish Inquisition and send the Queen to Rome to be burnt by the Pope. Actually Philip sug-

seizing the gested

Isle of negotiating from Wight, and there.

Against this Invincible Armada England could only muster a crowd of little cockleshall boats. and, as one once standard authority put It. "the best of the queen's ships, placed alongside the big Spanish ships would have been like a sloop-of-war by the side of a Arst rater.

However, the little English ships harried the Spaniards' like wasps round a flock of sleep, cutting off and capturing ore here and there Just as they sailed up Channel. when the English ammunition was

the giving out

De raised great storm. before which the Spaniards scuttled north, round the coasts of Scotland and Ireland. where nearly all were destroyed. only about 20 ships reaching home.

Glorified Privateers

2

Now let us see what the investi- gations of history have revealed. The war was far less sought by Spain than forced on her by the raids on her Colonial settlements by Sir Frances Drake and other glorified privateers financed by The Queen, and by the support given by England to the Nether- lands revolt against Philip Spain,

01

The original Armada plan, drawn up by the great admiral Santa Cruz, provided for 150 great ships, 40 transports and 320 small craft. The army was to be 55,000 men. Nothing less would satisfy him aa an experienced expert in war, For- tunately for England Santa Cruz died, and a much smaller assem- bly of 130 ships, of which 22 were

craft. light scouting

Was fitted

out

built for the Mediteranean and

the South American trades, where

good weather was the normal ex- pectation. There were only six English first raters, round about 1000 tons, but they were very powerful ships, and many of the smaller vessels had the advantage of carrying big 40 pounder guns. against the much lighter Spanish weapons.

There were 34 Queen's chips,

light well proportioned fleet of medium and heavy vessels, and. In addition some 183 well armed mer- chantmen and small coasters. The small ships were intended to in- terfere, with the actual landing of troops from the transports. The Spaniards were woefully deficient in this type. corresponding in function to the destroyers and sloops of to-day which are about the tonnage of the largest of King Phillp's and Queen Elizabeth's ships.

The commarider in chief Lord Howard of Efingham, was .ap. pointed for the same primary reason as Medina Sidonia; he was the Queen's cousin, and seamen adventurers like Frobisher. Haw kins and Thomas Fenner would obey him, where they would not have obeyed Francis Drake, who was n better than theme.ves. Howard was however, а

trained seaman, an able man and quite up to the command even

ibe were not quite of the calibre of Drake.

CILANCE OF VICTORY

The Spaniards were given one

holders from investing their money

the company, and except for the frightened Chinese and a tew foreigners, mostly Russians, busi-

ness has gone on as usual.

At one time yesterday afternoon 500 persons were approximately

the drawing', hali, assembled in

receive awa'ting their turn to their money.

FALSE ALARM A modicum of excitemerit oc- curred just before noon yesterday.] when the fire origade in gas masks sent engines and men to the LSS. building. At first it was reported that gas was escaping in the build- ing but it was later revealed that the electricity had given out and the society had merely requested the loan of an acetylene lamp.

The crowd which has lined the street immediately in front of the building, Avenue Edward VII, was missing yesterday. The reason for this was that the police herded the people into the alley where they

would be protected from the rays of the sun.

XXV, is being issued in the order Terminus site. Your Directors The

nary way through the banks, and also may be had, specially struck and packed in a box so as to avoid scratching, from the Royal Mint at 5s. 6d. the piece.

BOAT

FOR MUSEUM

Record Breaker

Of 1934

ti

and General Managers felt that it would benefit the Company to fully develop this site and they accord- ingly had plans prepared by Messrs. Davies, Brooke & Gran for a new

(Special Air Mail Service) Station with fats above. Eight of these will consist of large one room

London, May 25. never accomplished very much. Studio apartments with bed recess, On the stools at the Goldie though they were a regular fea-dressing room, spacious verandah, Boathouse, the boathouse of the ture of sailing-era warfare, and bathroom, kitchen, etc., and ser- Cambridge University Boat Club, да exceptiur. vants' quarters, and in addition the eight which was used by the However, three years before an in-there will be a 2 roomed bungalow record-breaking Cambridge crew genious Italian, named Glambelli en the roof....

of 1934, is standing ready stripped for had blown up a bridge thrown by

the Science despatch Parma, across the Scheldt at Ant- werp with a fireship filled with gunpowder, his Devil ship had in- Glambelli flicted terrific damage.

this instance

was

J

to These apartments will be served Museum at South Kensing

by a lit and each one will be

It is curious to think that this fitted with refrigerator, constant boat built down on the Putney hot water supply, a certain amount Hard may be destined to be pre- of built in furniture and will be served for ever as an important was in the service of Queen Eliza-

up to date in every respect. It is historical relic. Brigadier K.E.B. beth at the time of the Armada. anticipated they will be ready for Mackintosh, as director of the aud here lies the reason for what

occupation at the end of this year museum, had the idea some months appeared to later generations to

and' judging by the enquiries we ago, and negotiations for the pur be simply mad panic on the part

have already received they appear chase of the boat from "the of Spanish Fleet, when they slip-likely to prove very popular. C.U.B.C. are now proceeding ped their cables and stood out to

sea

THE WEATHER'S' SHARE Much has been made by the popular historians of the pari played by the weather in this campaign, and the winds are sup- cosed to have fought for England all' through As a matter of fact shortly after the fireship incider:t the whole Armada was only saved from drifting onto the sand banks Zealand by a change of wind. which the British considered far from providential interference on their behalf.

After this escape from destruc- tion, finding himself in the North

chance of victory. They sighted sen Mcdina Sidonia decided to the main English, deet in Ply-abandon the expedition and sal mouth. but instead of

I have no further remarks to make, Gentlemen, and I now beg to propose that the Report and Statement of Accounts as present- ed be adopted and that the follow. ing allocation of profits be Pay a dividend of 7 per

cent, on: 25,000 shares fully paid up Pay a dividend of 7 per cent. on 50,000 shares $5.00 paid up And carry forward

anor.cus

THE FIRST RACE Already in the museum there

that hangs

strange old eight- oared craft which Oxford used in the first Boat Race in 1829. With passedno out-riggers and with its clinker build it looks now like either a boat or 32 sea-going $17,500.00 Thames skift It was discovered sonte years ago on a Scottish loch, waere fishermen used it from time 17,500.00 to time. It was brought south. 14,146.78 and offered to the Oxford Univer

sity Boat Club, but they could not $49.145.78 house it-hance its last resting-

place in the Museum of Science.

Now it is probable that this modern eight, carvel-built and The report and accounts were stream-lined, showing the amazing duly seconded by Mr. A. H. Potts difference between the reoing eight and carried unanimously.

of to-day and the boat in which Proposed by Mr. D. E. Clark and they rowed their races a hundred seconded by Mr. J. A. Tarrant the years ago, will be placed per following were re-elected members maneatly in the Museum. The of the Board of Directors: Bir Cambridge University Boat Club Robert Ho Tung, Messrs. J. Brott hope so. They are ready to put it Haraton, A. B. Stewart, L. Kadoorie in a packing case for despatch to and M. T. Johnson,

OTHER BUSINESS

-vooping for Spain round the coast of Scot- down on 15, when heavy guns and land. With ordinary lucke. sailing advantage, would have been should have made the voyage at a discount in the confines of

without mishap, as the English the harbour, a council of war was

neet had been left behind, waiting held, right fell and the English supplies. The actual losses of the fleet slipped out and were actual-Spanish Fleet from the gale that ly to windward of the Spaniards overtook them are unknown to this next morning. The Spanish cum-. day, but the historian upon whom Messrs. Lowe, Blogham and mander's excuse was that his or- I am largely relying puts the total Matthews and Messrs. Linstead & ders were to make contact with

at 66 ships, including 48 big Davis were re-elected auditora for the Spanish army at the Mouth of ships, and not the 100 ships of po the ensuing year at a remuneration the River Scheldt, and not to em-

pular fancy in 'England Another of $350 each on being proposed by bark on sideshows at Plymouth. fancy is that Philip of Spato gave Mr. J. H. Humphreys and second-

way to childish despair on hear-ed by Mr. W. C. Lee.

Kensington,

OPERATION ON DRAKE

(Special Air Mail Service)

London, May 25. Ted.. Drake, the Arsenal and England centre-forward, who has been under observation in the Boyal Northern Hospital for the paat week, will be operated upon to-morrow for hernia, den f

Drake was injured in the last match of the season at liighbury was sure that the audience had and bad to drop out of the Rng-

Three indecisive battles were fought in the Channel, and though

ing the news Actually he behaved At the conclusion of the meeting. For the age it was a magnificent the Spaniards suffered a good deal with great presence of mind, and the chairman said that dividend neet, mainly of ships between 500 of loss, Medira Sidonia anchored extraordinary nobility to the beat-warrants were ready and may be and 1000 tons, well armed, and de- his feet Intact as a fighting force. en leader. A long and most kind-

bad on applicatior, signed for the Spanish form of "in Calais harbour, There Medina ly letter to largely occupied with fighting, which was to got along-Bidonia learned that the army he plans for the rellef of the suffer-

his was to escort to England, insteaders... side your adversary, sweep decks with your guns, and ther of being ready to embark at Dun-" board with a rush of trained sold-, sers.

In passing, Armada is merely the Spanish word for a fleet and

kirke a few miles away, would not

be able to meet the Armada for

a week. That night the English

(To Be Continued)

3. P. Sherry said that his know- feldge of history was night but he

In proposing a hearty vote of heard a very interesting and land team that met Holland at attacked with freships. Fireships thanks to the speaker Rotarian enlightening subject/9

Amsterdam on Baturday.

TO CLEAR!

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