The Telegraph Book of Readers' Letters from the Great War (34 page)

I would venture most respectfully to suggest for the consideration of those most competent to judge of the matter – that is, the leaders or heads of the religious bodies in this country, and perhaps elsewhere:

1. That, if feasible, arrangements be made to organise effectually, and carry out, a work of real and genuine prayer, accompanied by some voluntary penance – otherwise self-denial – amongst all classes and ages and both sexes as an act of reparation to our Creator and Master for our shortcomings and neglect of Him and His teaching in the past.

2. That such work should, if possible, be particularly devoted to one special week, to include the day of the Patron Saint of England – St George.

3. That this offering of prayer and voluntary penance be addressed to England's Saint asking his intercession with the Almighty to succour and aid not only those in this country, but also those in all our dependencies, to overcome and muzzle for the future the ferocious dragon of uncivilised militarism.

4. That in order to make this effort really effective, and to bring religion to the masses, open-air services be held during the special week in as many suitable places as possible, and at convenient and promising times during the day, with early morning services in all the churches.

5. That special early morning and evening services be arranged and held in all our churches on next St George's Day.

Such a work of earnest prayer and reparation would surely bring down upon us and our arms in this righteous war for civilisation the blessing of Heaven, and doubtless procure for us in the not remote future that permanent, honourable and lasting peace which the whole world is looking for.

Apologising for trespassing upon your kindness and courtesy, I am, Sir, yours truly,

M

Let me now give one instance out of very many: A miller desired to ask my advice how he could be ‘starred', and on being told that he must go to Lincoln and be ‘attested', and
then appeal, he said, ‘Tested, tested! Cannot I go to Dr —', mentioning the nearest local medical man, ‘and be tested?' I could multiply examples, but will not ask more space in your valuable paper, and only conclude by expressing great fear lest this confusion of ideas should lead to a lot of trouble and some hardships.

Yours faithfully,

Heneage

Hainton Hall, Lincoln

I have employed and controlled over a thousand men, mechanics and labourers, and earn a very large salary in the Colony I come from. Yet my services are refused even when offered free. Surely there must be work for everyone who
volunteers and is willing to throw up everything and return to the Mother Country to assist.

Yours faithfully,

Colonial Engineer

The only opponents are parties who have ‘conscientious objections' to anything which they can conceive to savour of gambling, being quite unable to perceive that, as your correspondents point out, strictly, this element does not enter into the question at all. One, in particular, most strongly denounces the ‘iniquity' of the scheme; and yet, having a most confident belief in the outcome of the war and in the future of the Empire, is making large investments at present
low prices, with a view to the rich reward which he confidently hopes to reap by-and-by!

From the bankers' point of view, such an issue is, manifestly, not to be desired, as it would entail an enormous depletion of the deposit moneys now held by them at interest rates ranging from 2
1
/
2
to 3
1
/
2
per cent; and which, despite the huge sums I already raised on War Loans, still, for all practical purposes, remain intact. It seems, on the face, to be fairly obvious that when the small depositors – whose money constitutes the great bulk of that held by bankers – can obtain an English Government security, not subject to market depreciation, yielding so good a rate as three per cent. fixed, and offering at least a sporting chance of sudden fortune, a very large proportion of this money is bound to be withdrawn from bankers' hands.

Most of those with whom I have discussed the question hold that such an issue would be morally beneficial, inasmuch as it would serve to divert into a channel useful to the interests of the State that sporting instinct in English people which restrictive legislation can never eradicate; and also because those who subscribed to it would be saving money, instead of impoverishing themselves and their dependents by betting, speculation, or whatever other form they choose for their ‘little flutter'.

There can be no doubt that a great deterrent to investment in previous War Loans has been the well-founded dread of reduced yield, and consequent depreciation of capital, arising from the incidence of an increasing income tax; but let the
proposed premium bonds be issued – free of tax – and the prospects of success may be considered illimitable.

Yours faithfully,

An Old Bank Manager

Your contributors all refer to the desirability of making the issue attractive to the small investor, but they appear to stop short at the £100 investor. Is not one of the problems of the moment the attachment of the surplus earnings of munition and other wage-earners whose earnings are much in excess of the normal? If this is achieved, the further result is attained that expenditure is reduced, especially upon luxuries.

Exhortation to economy will serve little purpose, but provide a tempting investment that will appeal to the industrial communities of Lancashire and Yorkshire, the Midlands and the north, and that result will be attained. It is, I suppose,
recognised that the subscriptions in small amounts both to the War Loan and for Exchequer bonds has been, and is, disappointing. Why? Not because the money is not available, but because simplicity of method has been lacking, and because procedure has been hampered by formalities and delays.

If our Government will issue premium bonds in multiples of £1, and will issue them through every bank and Post Office in the kingdom, direct over the counter in exchange for gold, silver or Treasury notes, without any formality whatever, that is, sell them like postage stamps, they will be surprised at the results. Interest might be at 2
1
/
2
per cent, payable by means of perforated coupons attached, with a premium bonus of 1 or 1
1
/
2
in addition. As regards this section of the issue it should remain open for the duration of the war, and a heavy weekly inflow would be realised.

Your correspondents anticipate opposition. Have we not had rather a surfeit of opposition, and has not the conduct of the war in various directions been hampered by those who even yet are unwilling to recognise that the times are not normal, and that therefore methods need be abnormal? Let Mr McKenna take a strong line on this question, and opposition will speedily fade.

A Banker