Yesterday we heard noise
of explosions destroying inconvenient houses
at Harwich. The sensations of Harwich people must be poignant.
Nevertheless the .E.R., in yesterday evening’s paper, was advertising its Hook
of Holland Service (with restaurant cars, etc.) exactly as usual, and I believe
the boat left last night. We also heard thunder, and the children affirm that
they distinctly heard the noise of firing – not explosions. (Report of action
in North Sea in evening papers.) I saw one warship in the office at Clacton,
but an ordinary steamer coming to the pier, and a barge sailing northwards.
An officer came yesterday to complain of a
fox terrier (? ours) which flew at despatch-riders on motor bicycles. He said
it would be shot if found loose. These despatch-riders are the most picturesque
feature of the war, here. They rush through the village at speeds estimated up
to 50 miles an hour. I am willing to conceded 40.
I agree that Russia is the real enemy, not Germany; and that a rapprochement between England and Germany is a certainty. But I
doubt whether it is wise, in the actual conduct of affairs, to try to see so
far ahead. I think that the belligerency of England is a mistake – for England.
Yet if I had to choose, I think my instinct would have forced me to make war.
Sir Edward Grey’s [British Foreign
Secretary] astounding mistake, in his big speech, was his assertion that the
making of war would not much increase our suffering. It will certainly increase
it. The hope for us is in the honesty and efficiency of our administration. The
fear for France springs from the fact that the majority of French politicians
are notoriously rascals, out for plunder. The corruption of Russian
administration is probably even worse. The seriousness of the average French
private will atone for a lot, but it will not – for instance – create boots for
him. The hope for France is that the German army, arrogant in its traditions,
etc., may be lower than its reputation.
After reading the diplomatic papers leading
up to the rupture between England and Germany, this morning, one has to admit
that Sir E. Grey did everything he could, once he had stated his position. The
war is a mistake on our part, but other things leading to it were a mistake,
and, these things approved or condoned, the war must be admitted to be
inevitable. Judged by any current standard, Sir E. Grey is a man of high common
sense. He has not yet grasped the movement of social evolution, but then very
few people have. And you cannot properly or fairly try to govern a country on a
pane of common sense too high above its own general place.
Apart from Germany, two countries are
pre-eminently suffering at the beginning of the war – France and Belgium. Both
are quite innocent, Belgium touchingly so. I can imagine the Germans among them
if they get the upper hand. The Germans are evidently quite ruthless and brutal
and savage in war. This is logical, but a large part of their conduct is
due to the arrogant military tradition,
which will one day be smashed. If Germany is smashed in this war, the man most
imperilled will be the German Emperor. If she is not smashed, the man most
imperilled may be the Tsar.
I am told convincingly that a firm in
Clacton is making an extra £50 a week out of bread. Through increased charges
for which there is no justification. It appears that the farmers all round have
raised the price of butter 3d. a lb.
Miss Osborne and a girl came round yesterday
afternoon to ask for linen or subscriptions for the local branch of the Red
Cross Society. Mrs Byng is ready to lend Thorpe Hall for a hospital. These
young ladies have no orders or permission from the War Office, but they wish to
be in readiness. This instinct to do something on the part of idle young women,
or half idle, is satisfactory to behold. All about this district and all about
many other country districts are many middle-class young women, and scarcely
any young men for them to consort with – I mean even in ordinary times. Now,
there will be fewer young men than ever.
On the day after the war the boys [his two
nephews] wanted a tent. They had one, beyond the pond. It cost one day’s labour
of a carpenter. This tent is used by everybody except me nearly all the time.
The whole household seems to live in it. Today the boys are making wooden
swrds. Yesterday a village boy gave me a military salute.
Edith Johnson recounts how her father is
laying in ammunition against the time when the populace will raid the
countryside demanding provisions; he, being a farmer, is to be called on early
in the proceedings, and he is determined to give out his stores evenly and not
to the strongest. Each morning he summons all his men and explains to them the
course of the war, so that they shall not b e misled by rumours. Edith thinks
that a war is necessary and advisable, as the population is too thick.
Arnold Bennett's Journal, Thursday August 6th 1914
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