The Spectator

From ‘The American Note’, The Spectator, 19 June 1915: Mr. Wilson recognizes the existence of a painfully simple issue. The issue is between the German submarines and international law. Consent to the continuance of German submarine warfare as now practised means the abolition of international law at sea. Mr. Wilson understands that he must choose between the two things. He chooses international law ; and consequently he cannot possibly yield to the submarines. He knows well that consent to German submarine methods would mean delivering the world-to an era of violence, of "no-law," of horrible barbarism, which would be much worse than any hostilities that are now called into immediate prospect.

From 'News of the Week', The Spectator, 19 June 1915: In the British section of the western theatre of war our troops have taken the offensive to the west of La Bassée and to the east of Ypres. In the La Bassée district on Tuesday evening they won several trenches, but these trenches were retaken that night by strong counter-attacks of the enemy. Near Hooge, however, two miles east of Ypres, we gained a considerable piece of ground and have held it. The Germans allege that at La Bassée four English divisions, or nearly seventy thousand troops, took part in the advance, and suffered very heavy losses. but "Credat Judeas Apella" say we. Heavy losses no doubt there have been, but we shall want much better evidence in regard to these seventy thousand troops.

From ‘Longs and Shorts’, The Spectator, 12 June 1915: Names of things in constant use should never be too long. The cinematograph has inevitably dwindled into the "cinema," while young America calls these shows the "movies." But the passion for polysyllables, though considerably abated, has not died out of the Press. (How could it, when so much work is paid for by length?) Not so many years ago Mr. Punch's famous advice to those about to marry was referred to in a leading daily as "the memorable monosyllabic monition of the Democritus of Fleet Street." The world would be much drearier if journalism were shorn of these decorations, and refused to conciliate those minds which find magic and consolation in "that blessed word Mesopotamia.

From ‘Convalescents—Some Portraits’, The Spectator, 12 June 1915: No. 12. hardly spoke any French. He was very fat, middle-aged, and placid, his face perfectly round, and his whole form almost spherical. A farthing and a penny and two matches could be arranged to form an excellent representation of his silhouette. We discovered that he was a reservist, and a market gardener by trade. He was a most industrious creature, and could be made perfectly happy by being given little jobs to do in the garden. He haltingly explained that before the war he had had two big greenhouses; then, shaking his head sadly, "Maintenant tout cassé, Mam'selle." Like the sad majority of our patients, be had entirely lost sight of his wife and children.

From ‘The Industrial Reserve’, The Spectator, 12 June 1915: The Industrial Reserve (227 Strand, W.C.), which was started eight weeks ago, and has already placed over nine hundred men in useful employment, directly or indirectly concerned with war work. These men are for the most part drawn from classes who do not ordinarily come into the labour market. Many of them are middle-class men normally engaged in business or professions who have lost their work through the dis- organization caused by the war, but who, being useful with their hands, are able to take on skilled or semi- skilled work in munition factories. Many others are retired artisans who have saved money and were, until the war began, living upon their savings.