The Spectator

Sunday

The Spectator

The Spectator at war: Outrages in Belgium

From 'German outrages in Belgium', The Spectator, 15 May 1915: TOWARDS the end of last year the Prime Minister appointed a Committee to inquire into the outrages committed by German troops during the present war, and the Report of the Committee was issued on Wednesday. As the Committee indicate, the inference to be drawn is that the German military authorities made up their minds that it was desirable to terrorize the Belgian people in order to overcome Belgium's resistance to the German Army, and in order to maintain the German communications without having to devote too large a force to protect them. In other words, the military interests of Germany were held to justify any kind of cruelty that might con- ceivably contribute to the success of German arms.

Saturday

The Spectator

The Spectator at war: Standing at ease

From 'Standing at Ease', The Spectator, 15 May 1915: It is a contradiction in terms, but we think it is true to experience, to say that certain people in distress never stand at ease but when they are working hard. They are as a rule people of very strong will. "Attention!" they shout at their own souls, determined that nothing shall come between them and their task. With an effort which takes all their strength, they concentrate upon their work. "Stand at ease," murmurs the still voice which cannot be gainsaid, and suddenly their work is invested with an intense and unnatural interest, Breathless, delighted, and refreshed, they follow its intricacies, so monotonous in days of peace, so all absorbing now. Their minds are working at high pressure.

Friday

The Spectator

Podcast special: can Nigel Farage survive the Ukip wars?

In this View from 22 special podcast, Fraser Nelson and Sebastian Payne discuss the ongoing Ukip wars with Laura Pitel from The Times. Can Nigel Farage survive as leader? Is there still a conflict between Team Farage and other tribes within the party? And what role has Douglas Carswell played, if any, in the briefing wars?

Thursday

The Spectator

Letters | 14 May 2015

Scotland’s silent majority Sir: Hugo Rifkind’s article (‘Scotland’s nasty party’, 9 May) is a first for the media. It expresses the dismay, disbelief and incomprehension felt at the rise of the SNP by least one — and I suspect many — of the silent majority in Scotland. When will the media confront Nicola Sturgeon’s claim to speak for Scotland, as opposed to allowing her to deliver an unchallenged party political broadcast? She can only speak for the SNP, who at best can speak for half of Scottish voters. Not in my name. I want no part of her strident, demanding, aggressive brand. The article did omit one issue. Thousands of young Scots work in England and abroad, developing and enhancing their expertise before returning home.

The Spectator

Barometer | 14 May 2015

Plagued by stigma The World Health Organisation told doctors to stop naming diseases after people, places and animals so as not to stigmatise them. But are diseases even really associated with things that gave them their name? — Spanish flu. First identified in an army hospital in Kansas in March 1918. It gained its name because Spain was a neutral country, and uncensored newspaper reports made it appear uniquely affected. Subsequent theories have had it originating in China or at an army camp in France. — Legionnaires’ disease. First identified after an outbreak at a convention of the American Legion at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia, in July 1976. — Ebola.