THE PEACE CRUSADE IN OLDHAM - NEWSPAPER LETTERS

OLDHAM CHRONICLE
10th August 1917 (Friday)
THE PEACE MEETING

Sir, I am really disgusted to think there are people in Oldham who can write such letters as have appeared in your paper on this subject. They must have no-one belonging to them fighting or they would not sympathise with anyone who has anything to do with any meeting of that description. We want peace certainly, but not the kind they talk about. We want a victorious peace, peace with honour , honour for the men who have given their lives that we may be safe at home. Your correspondents, 'Soldier's Mother,'[sic] 'E.Q.', 'Eye Witness,' and 'Disgusted,' seem to forget that it was the Anzacs who are to be thanked for their gallant stand in covering the landing of our gallant 1/10 Battalion, Manchester Regiment, at the Dardanelles in April 1915, not to mention the amount of money which the N.Z.F.A. have collected since they have been stationed at Chadderton Camp. We have had several different regiments there before they came, but they never did anything for the benefit of Oldham. I do not say but what there may have been some horsepaly on Monday night, but can you wonder if these men did let their dare-devilry get the master of them when they saw a meeting like that taking place after them coming 10,000 miles from their homes, their wives, and families, to fight for the motherland that we might be protected from German invasion? It must not be thought that I think the men of the N.Z.F.A. are perfect; none of us are. But still, we must give our sympathy to all the boys in khaki who are doing their bit for our welfare. I think the majority of the people in Oldham will agree with me when I say it is 'hats off' to such like men as those at Chadderton Camp, who have sacrificed so much and come so far for our sake.
Yours etc.,
RED CROSS