Punch, or The London Charivari, Vol. 148, February 17th 1915Various
History
Punch, or The London Charivari, Vol. 148, February 17th 1915
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
This only a little official joke designed partly to relieve tension of
critical times, chiefly to throw dust in eyes of enemy. Idea of Germany
cherished at War Office is that she is a sort of innocent Little Red
Riding Hood whose legitimate curiosity may be evaded either by
withholding information or mystifying it by administration of small
doses dealt out at safe intervals of time. Hence the Press Bureau, which
to-night came in for rough handling from both sides of House.
[Illustration: "IDEA OF GERMANY CHERISHED AT WAR OFFICE IS THAT SHE IS A
SORT OF INNOCENT LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD."]
If usual detailed account of expenditure on Army were set forth, the
German General Staff would know exactly what was in front of them in
respect of reinforcement of the "contemptible little army" which seven
months ago embarked upon a crusade more self-sacrificing, more glorious
than any recorded in the story of Britain. Failing that, they naturally
know nothing and will go on blundering in the dark.
Accordingly Votes submitted to-night were what the Treasury calls
"token" estimates, each thousand pounds of the fifteen representing
untold millions to be expended on various services of the War. On this
understanding, Committee, practically without debate, amidst stern but
quietly expressed determination to go on to the end at whatever cost,
voted an establishment of three million men.
_Business done._--Army Estimates in Committee of Supply.
_Tuesday._--For first time since reassembling House sat up to closing
hour, 11 o'clock. Discussion of Army Estimates resumed. Committee has
advantage of WALTER LONG'S lead of Opposition. Shrewd, tactful,
conciliatory. Among miscellaneous Questions coming up was condition of
some of the huts contracted for by War Office. WALTER LONG associated
himself with sharp criticism offered from various quarters.
The MEMBER FOR SARK regrets that engagement out of town prevented his
taking part in the discussion.
"I happen to know something at first hand about the matter," he says. "I
spend my week-ends in a district which, lying on direct route for the
Front, swarms with detachments of recruits in training. In the late
autumn, huts were built for their accommodation. Quite nice comfortable
things to look at. Some stand on desirable sites overlooking land and
sea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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