THE PEACE CRUSADE IN OLDHAM - NEWSPAPER LETTERS

OLDHAM CHRONICLE
8th August 1917 (Wednesday)
THE PEACE MEETING

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRONICLE

Sir, I write this missive as evidence of my disapproval of the artocious manner in which the peace meeting was received in Oldham on Monday evening. First let me disarm criticism by stating that I have no connection whatever with the peace party, their delegates at the meeting, or the I.L.P., nor shall I voice my opinion on the motive of the meeting, but as an Englishman, I have (by my true British elders) always been taught to observe a code of honour in which the following are conspicuous: (1) that to strike a helpless person is caddish; (2) that to show my disapproval of a cause in a violent manner was only a display of ill-controlled temper and bad bredding; (3) That Britons' codeword is 'Freedom.'

Therefore I am greatly disgusted at the manner in which the 'people of Oldham' (?) and our colonial soldiers of Chadderton have savagely maltreated a small body of Englishmen.

If the meeting had been unfavourable, I think a more gentlemanly and effective manner of showing disapproval would have been to give the speakers a large empty space in which to air their views. British freedom should be a freedom which allows an adversary fair play, and especially a brave adversary such as the peace party have proved themselves to be (physically and morally) in facing the antagonistic crowds.

I noticed that a 'safe' number of the New Zealanders were mobilised to carry forth the attacks, the odds being in their favour about 40 to 1. The colonial soldiers by such disreputable conduct are in danger of losing the respect which has been held for them as a result of the good work they have done in connection with local charitable efforts, and one is constrained to believe that it was only the worst characters among them who distinguished themselves in such a cowardly manner. I also consider that conduct of this descriptin endangers citizens of the town, as in a riot it is only reasonable to expect that a number of unoffending persons suffer. Lastly, a well educated englishman is always willing to give his opponent the opportunity to express his views, which is, as a rule, to his own advantage.
Yours,
'DISGUSTED'