100 Years Ago - Franchise Reform and Red Terror

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-07/register/the-red-guard-terror-x7j9mz0fk

February 7, 1918

The red guard terror

The Russian Soviet Congress has come to an end after nine sittings. It began with 600 members and closed with over 900 resolutions and laws. Not more than 12 minutes were devoted to the fundamental laws which are intended to open up a new epoch in the world’s history. Some of the statutes were so badly drawn up that it was impossible to understand them. There was, as usual, great enthusiasm and frequent singing of the Internationale and Marseillaise. The proceedings were brought to a close by Lenin, who spoke of a revolution in Berlin and of political strikes all over Germany. He said that the latest events in Western Europe indicated the beginning of a new epoch in universal history. More revolutionary music and singing followed, and he sat down amidst thunderous applause.

The conditions of life here are nerve-racking in the extreme, and almost intolerable. The new agents of the Bolshevist Executive and the Red Guards are more feared than the gendarmes and police of the old autocracy. Everybody is in dread of arrest, searches, and the confiscation of money, jewelry, and paper securities by government commissaries, who refuse to admit any diplomatic intervention for the protection of the belongings of foreign subjects. Domiciliary arrests and searches for documents or food are carried out by parties of youths with rifles, men of the Militia, sailors, soldiers, and proletarians. The rough-and-ready character of the new Revolutionary-Socialistic methods renders it difficult to distinguish between genuine “Red Guards” and ordinary robbers. When the latter are caught their captors are often equally rough-and-ready. A few nights ago burglars were discovered in the English Magazine Company’s shop in the Nevsky Prospect, when one of them jumped out of a first-floor window and was caught by militiamen, who promptly dispatched him and threw his body into the nearest canal.
We cannot get cheques cashed for current living expenses. All loans are to be annulled, and a project is under discussion to destroy all shares. It is difficult to believe that such robbery can be legalized. Poor English governesses and tutors are running about trying to persuade kind friends to take care of their small savings or to have them sent to England.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-08/register/us-transport-sunk-off-ireland-678xpfgx6

february 8, 1918

US transport sunk off Ireland

The liner Tuscania was torpedoed on the Irish coast on Tuesday night, while carrying American troops. Two hundred and ten men are missing. The total number on board was 2,397. Just as darkness fell, without sign of a submarine or warning of any sort, a torpedo struck the liner full amidships. Without panic and in splendid order the men reached their boat stations, but the work of lowering the lifeboats was greatly hampered by the tremendous list of the vessel. One or two of the first boats capsized in the lowering, the occupants being thrown into the water, and other lifeboats were let down right on top of them. Several lifeboats were lost, together with their occupants, by being drawn by the suction through the hole in the ship’s side below the water line. The liner continued afloat for a time and the work of rescuing men from the water was carried out by boats from escorts and patrols called to the scene. Many survivors were removed to hospital, but the majority were lodged in a hotel, and hot meals provided. There were many pitiable scenes, and a number of the men were suffering collapse from shock.

Two survivors were rescued from a raft and brought into port. Their names are Sergeant E C du Buque and Sergeant Muller, both from Brooklyn, New York. Sergeant du Buque states that when the crash came the Tuscania almost immediately took a tremendous list to the starboard, and nearly all the eight lifeboats on that side were either blown into the air or rendered useless. He and his comrades lined up, and, while standing to attention, as one man began to sing America’s national airs, including My country, ’tis of thee and the Star-Spangled Banner, while the ship’s crew, who were lined up opposite, sang the British National Anthem. He clambered to the port side and was placed in a boat with about 10 or 12 other men. When they were about halfway down the ropes it got disarranged and they were thrown into the water. He had no lifebelt on, but rose to the surface, and although the sea was pretty heavy he got to a raft, on which he found Sergeant Muller. He noticed that collapsible rafts were being thrown over the side to those struggling in the water. Some of these unfortunately struck boats, and a number of the occupants were killed in this way.


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/silence-before-battle-9pfwg2r58

february 6, 1918

Silence before battle

Ministerial reticence is always suspect, but the answer given by Mr Bonar Law to Mr Asquith yesterday in the House of Commons does seem to have said all that was possible about the recent meeting of the Supreme War Council at Versailles. Mr Bonar Law said that the Council “dealt” with the campaign now about to be “carried out,” and that no further details could be published without giving valuable information to the enemy.
It is clear that the Germans have resolved to stake their remaining strength upon a great effort to obtain a decision somewhere in the West. Since trench warfare developed they have made only two great attempts to break the line upon the Western front. The first was at the second battle of Ypres, and the second at Verdun. We know the story of these disastrous failures.

The British armies in the West have made a very good winter. We know a good deal more about wintering in the field than we did in the terrible days of 1914. The comfort of the troops is thoroughly cared for, and it has been possible to give ample leave as well as far more rest in billets. Moreover, for many weeks everyone has known what was coming, and the work of preparation has gone rapidly forward. A spirit of confidence pervades all ranks, and they ask for nothing better than that the Germans should throw their last great stake in this mightiest of wars.
Once more the world stands and waits the breaking of the battle thunder. In this war we have known other moments of tense anticipation, but none more full of meaning than this. The thought of the ordeal before us should hush all dissentient voices in these islands, and inspire all who remain at home with a determination not to be unworthy of those who are facing privation and death in the cause of freedom.
No one can certainly foresee when and where the issue will be joined. It is reasonably certain that we are about to witness attacks at almost all points, combined with desperate thrusts at chosen spots. We are confident that in any case the grand stroke of the enemy will fail, and that their remaining legions will be shattered against the unbroken lines of the Western Allies. Wherever the blow may fall, the Allies are now ready. One duty alone remains, and that is to close up the ranks at home.


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jewish-soldiers-march-mm90286qb

february 5, 1918

Jewish soldiers’ march

Four companies of the Jewish Regiment returned to London from their training camp and marched through the streets amid scenes of enthusiasm. Interest was not confined to the Jewish inhabitants of the East End, for along the whole of the route the men, whose sturdy physique and martial bearing were favourably commented on, were heartily welcomed. The 426 men and 12 officers slept in the Tower of London overnight, and when they emerged, headed by the band of the Coldstream Guards, were greeted with an outburst of cheering. The cheers were repeated as they went by way of the Minories, Aldgate, Fenchurch Street, and Lombard Street to the Mansion House. As the soldiers, commanded by Colonel J H Patterson, marched past the Mansion House the Lord Mayor took the salute from the balcony. The march was continued eastward until a halt was called at the Pavilion Theatre in Mile End, where the Mayor and Mayoress of Stepney and members of Stepney Borough Council had assembled. The march resumed to Camperdown House, where the men were inspected by Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Lloyd. Sir Francis said that he saw a battalion that would do great credit to itself and the country. It was, by no means the first effort that the great Jewish population of Great Britain had made in the patriotic defence of this country, but they had concentrated on it a special effort which would long be remembered. He wished the men God-speed and the fortunes of battle, and expressed the hope that honours might be showered on them. Luncheon was served. Across the room in bold Hebrew characters hung the motto “The Land of Israel for the People of Israel.” Mr Joseph Cowen presided in the unavoidable absence of Lord Rothschild. The company included many prominent Jews, among whom was Lieutenant Jabotinsky, whose idea of a separate unit for Jews took the form of the Zionist Mule Corps in Egypt, and has now received a commission in the “Judeans”, as the new regiment is popularly called. The Chief Rabbi gave the men his benediction, reminding them that every Jewish soldier held the honour of his people in his hands. They would, he said, be worthy successors of the ancient Jewish warriors — the Maccabeans. (Cheers)

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-03/register/the-versailles-meeting-fpch90cgt

The Versailles meeting

February 3 1918,

The following official statement is issued: The meetings of the third session of the Supreme War Council were held at Versailles on January 30-31 and February 1-2. In addition to the members of the Supreme War Council itself, viz, M Clemenceau and M Pichon for France, Mr Lloyd George and Lord Milner for Great Britain, Signor Orlando and Baron Sonnino for Italy, and the military representatives of the Supreme War Council, there were also present for the military discussions the French and British Chiefs of the General Staffs, General Foch and General Sir W Robertson, the Italian Minister of War, and the Commanders-in-Chief on the Western front — General Petain, Field Marshal Sir D Haig, and General Pershing.
The Council carefully considered the recent utterances of the German Chancellor and of the Austro-Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs, but was unable to find in them any real approximation to the moderate conditions laid down by the Allied Governments. This conviction was only deepened by the contrast between the professed idealistic aims with which the Central Powers entered upon the negotiations at Brest-Litovsk and their now openly disclosed plans of conquest and spoliation. In the circumstances, the Supreme War Council decided that the only immediate task before them lay in the prosecution, with the utmost vigour, of the military effort of the Allies until such time as that effort shall have brought about in the enemy governments and peoples a change of temper which would justify the hope of the conclusion of peace on terms which would not involve the abandonment of all the principles of freedom, justice, and respect for the law of nations which the Allies are resolved to vindicate. The Allies are united in heart and will by their open resolve to defend civilization against an unscrupulous and brutal attempt at domination. The soldiers of our free democracies have won their place in history by their immeasurable valour. Their magnificent heroism and the no less noble endurance with which our civilian populations are bearing their burden of trial and suffering testify to the strength of those principles of freedom which will crown the military success of the Allies with the glory of a great moral triumph.


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-02/register/aliens-in-air-raids-6hgcpmcpb

february 2, 1918

Aliens in air raids

A London coroner held an inquest yesterday on eight of the 14 victims of the panic which occurred on Monday night at the entrance to a shelter following the maroon warning of an air raid. The names of the killed were: Woolf Biber, 70; Isidore Schagrin, 75; Louis Belitsky, 5; Esther Harris, 60 ; Marx Green, 7; Rosa Green, 14; 14; Cassie Bodie, 5; and Abraham Hankin, six months.
The coroner said that the deaths appeared to have been due to panic on the part of persons who might be called foreigners, or who were of foreign extraction. One could have hoped that people living in London would have the self-confidence and control to act very differently, and not in a way unworthy of men and more nearly approaching the ways of the lower animals.

A police superintendent said that shortly after the discharge of warning rockets some people — aliens chiefly — thinking that these were bombs, lost their heads and rushed for the shelter. In the rush some dropped articles they were carrying, and when they stooped to pick them up they were knocked over. He was amazed at the number of strong, able-bodied young men, nearly all aliens or of alien type, and it was these people who were largely responsible for the trouble.
Continuing, the witness said: “I am proud to say that we have not had the slightest trouble with English people, but we have very great trouble with the foreign element. We cannot overcome these people unless we have a whole army of police stationed at the shelters.”
The coroner remarked that one effect of these raid shelter rushes was to increase the number of deaths among children, who caught a chill. “What I do,” he added, “is to go to bed. If I am killed, I am killed, and I am in bed all ready to lay out.”

One witness said that his wife, who was killed, went to the shelter because she was nervous. He stayed at home. The coroner: And thereby saved your life. In the case of the six-months-old child of a Russian, the mother said the baby was knocked out of her arms and she lost it.
It was stated that property found on the bodies included 384 £1 notes, 23 £5 notes, three £10 notes, a £50 war savings certificate, and some Russian bank deposit receipts.
A verdict of “death by suffocation” was returned in every case.


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-01/register/animals-in-hard-times-t0p6s2m8g

Animals in hard times

February 1 1918

Many wild and haIf-wild animals are now feeling the effect of the food shortage. In the days of peace and plenty the secretive creatures which inhabit the rus in urbe or urbe in rure districts on the outskirts of London and the provincial cities found it easy to procure a sufficiency of food. The fox which used to be seen by the river at Putney and Hammersmith would eat cheese, bread and, indeed, any scraps in a suburban dustbin. Probably such undomesticated creatures as this vanished fox, and the hen pheasant that once appeared at Lord’s and the snipe that visited that Delphi of cricket in a season of waterlogged wickets, would rejoice over the variety and tastiness of town food in peacetime.
Some of the larger results of the worldwide food shortage rest so far on insufficient evidence. The utilization of small birds for food, which is now beginning — sparrows can be bought for a penny each in some parts of the country — would be a source of danger if it continued, upsetting the intricately-balanced economy of animal and insect life.

In London gulls are much more pertinacious in their foraging than they were before the war. They do not go back to the lower reaches of the Thames at night as was their custom. The increased daring of the rats must have been noticed by many residents in the suburbs. The black rat still inhabits the upper storeys of warehouses in the city and never deserts the habitations of men. But the brown rat, his more intelligent and adaptable rival, long ago took to the fields and hedgerows in search of a living, often showing almost human intelligence in his hunting. Now he will raid suburban dustbins in broad daylight. He has always been omnivorous, so that the fact that he now consumes unpleasant food (soap and a piece of bread soaked in petrol, a diet once prescribed for Russian prisoners by Hindenburg) need not surprise us.
Formerly the domestic cat left him unmolested. But cats have been turned out of doors to forage for themselves since milk became scanty and the cat’s-meat man stopped coming round. Parts of the country are now overrun by poaching cats. In the suburbs the discharged cat gets fewer birds than before (the blackbird is more wary than he was) and is forced to rely on rats as a staple diet.


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/grim-bayonet-fights-on-the-heights-szz2t0tkl

january 31, 1918

Grim bayonet fights on the heights

In an attack of remarkable vigour, and in spite of very heavy barrages of Austrian guns, the Italians have won back a good part of the ground they lost to the north of Monte Melago, on the Asiago Plateau, on Christmas Eve. The fighting began yesterday and is going on without pause, but the proof that it continues in favour of the Italians consists, not only in the ground they have gained, but also in the fact that 1,500 Austrians, including 62 officers, are already in their hands. There was an accurate and vigorous artillery preparation, in which British and French batteries shared, and then the Italians launched their attack on a front of about four miles, from the Brenta Gorge almost as far as the first villages of the Asiago Plateau. The country along which this sector lies is all wild mountain, with the deep and rocky ravine of the Val Frenzela running up into its flank.

The chief bastion of the Austrian position was Monte di Val Bella, which was lost to the enemy on December 24. Converging attacks were made in this sector, and developed into grim struggles with the bayonet, part of the Italian assault breaking through the enemy line and pushing right up into the valley between Mounts Sisemol and Val Bella, whence it only had to return because enemy positions in the rear were still holding out.
But the most striking feature of the fighting was the large part which aeroplanes played in it on both sides. British, French, and Italian machines were in the air on this sector during the battle, and not less than 12 enemy machines which were observing or trying to bomb places where Italian troops were gathered for the assault, came crashing down on to the mountain slopes. The Italian front has, indeed, been costing the Austro-German Flying Corps dear lately. Hardly a day passes but they lose several machines to the attacks of our aggressive Allied airmen, and this in spite of the fact that they habitually do their best to avoid an encounter.
● Imperial and foreign news: It is announced by the Temps that the Duc de Chevreuse has been killed as the result of a flying accident while training as an airman. Le Matin learns that Flight-Sergeant Paoli, having succeeded in escaping from a German prisoners’ camp, has arrived at the French frontier.