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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1930-05-01, Page 3w. A Gallant Gentles Mart General Seely'o Story of an Adventurnne Life; Cheat-, ing Death.' On Larid., Sea, and in the Air; When, lie Nearly Killed General Botha: A Maori Idyll By FRANK WHITAKER "To ale," said Peter Paa. "would lbe au awfully big adventute," to whioh General J. E. 13, Seely no doubt re plied, If he ever met Voter Pam "Prob., ably; but why die?" A man who juts oureived apparent- ly certain death by each or the four Cletneuts; who bee been drowned. and revived; fallen a distance commonly thought to be fate!, and lived; faced an enemy rifle at eltricet pointblank range and been spared; Opera in an aeroplane • with a burst petrol tank and escaped uneeathed;nnd "ever and over again on the Western front found myself alone unharmed when every one of those around snsehad been kill - •ed or woundetr-ai man arito has flouted delvers liko these ean afford to talk like that. - A charmed life? Why, the normal 'expectationsof t cat are, es they say in the North, 'fool toll" • The Problem' of reap General Seely. has now tolci the story of his -extrattedinary, 'career in "Adventure", and told It well. The book moves in a crescendo of excite- ment from the first page in the last; it is curious to note how the scale of the adventuringgrows•as the years go by.. It begins with a solitary fall down a cliff and widens and deepens, Involving more and more people in a kind of arithmetitale•progression, un- til it •mergest in the tupreme adven- ture of the War itself.' As a boy General Seely often lis- tened to the talcof his uncle, Col- tonel Browne, who had won the V.C. for spiking a gun at Luckuow, and Who managed the famiy estates at .Brooke, in the Isle cf Wight. It was lie (says General Seely) wbo first set me thinking over the prob- lem of fear. I well remember walk- ing, alone the beech and reflecting that being frightened was a foolish thing, like biting en's na,ils; obvious- ly it did no good. I set to work' then 'to try to overcomo 'this failing; and tought I have never succeeded, the constant conscious attempt has been ;very helpful. It was apparently helpful not long afterwards, When a 'cliff at Brooke ---,gave way utter his feet and he drop- ped seventy feet on to the beach, for he says bis dread vanished like a flash, and he "seemed to be just hap- pily dreaming suspended in space," *Fortunately, a lot of the cliff fell too, forming a perfect cushion for his land- ing. He lay there for two hours and took a Whole term" to recover from his injuries-, but the experience 'proved to ine that fear was fcolish, and that no case, however desperate, is ever hopeless." The Seven Leafs His next experience was being -drowned while diving for eggs- He had brought up SoYen, and someone olse eight. That recant, of course, that he must go oro better. Down he went again . . .. seven.. . and then he found thet, the others were several yards away. Ho had. a mo- ment of agony waen he felt he must breathe or burst, but he overcame it and took one more: stroke . Then all at once tho pain and agony eeased. It was as though when some great orchestra Ines been playing •crashing and discordant sounds, sud- denly the inusi. is resolved into a beautiful major chord with every in- strument in perfect tune, Then I found myself walking over a green field in glorious punt:tine., with bright yellow buttercups stndding the grass; In the distance chureb bells were ring- ing. and I had a see:rattan of. complete joy end happineste I was fished out, black in the faten and unconscious, and was finally brooeht to by artificial Tee piratic n. 'Many years lathe aSailor who had had his consciousease.restored in the same way told aim that he had gone through precis•ely dinner sensations. So that, apparently, is what it feels like to be drowaed. • The Flag ea the Steeple At Harrow thie lively youngster, oltild's bow and arrow, liet a reps Over the beansft the church steeple, hauled himself up from tage to stage, and tied a Ilnion Jack • to the top, His career at Cambridge was elided abruptly by a hair-raising eX- Perience with a runaway horse in Switzerland, With bridle broken it galloped for miles dowel a Mountain track and deposited him, unconscious, with his legs dangling over a chasm two hundred feet deep. 'He Was laid up for months with congestion of the brain. ("My dear Jack, that explains it all!" said the then Mr. Balfour twenty .years afterwards, When Seely, who bad been the first to leave him on the Fiscal question, told the story at a Commons. dinner -party). Next he swam out with a line to a wrecked French ship, received a gold medal, a broken rib and a punctured lung. He set off on a long sea voy- age to recover hie health, served as an A,13., was swept out of his cabin by a hoge wave, and saved himself only by clinging to the after -rigging as it swept past. During the same storm his companion, Toni Connolly, fell from a yard a hundred and twenty feet above the sea, clutched a swing- ing rope—and held on, As the- ship heeled over hea caught tbe ratlines and descended .safetly to the deck! Truly miracles seemed to follow Seely wherever he went. within twelve yards of me. 1 could recognize him to -day from among a hundred others. It was no good for rne 0 run awaYe .becanse 1 realized that 1 could not be missed; so 1 stood still waiting for the end. Then an extraordiarY tWng. happened, The man lowered, his rifle; looked ate' straight in the eyeg, turned round and walked away. It was said to me in explanation of this eurious epapede that my three troops, who. had already got round the flank of this small party of the enemy, had made the Man real- ize that be must get quickly on his horse in order to escape. riut I know perfectly well from the look he gave me, and from the deliberation of his movements, that what really happen- ed was this. He Was sorry for a young Englishman thus surprieed, and, out of sheer good nature, decid- ea not to kill me. The Horseman in the Mist In the other adventure he himself was the man with the gun. It came to him at an advance post on the top, of a high ridge, on a misty night when a party of Boers bad been re-. ported near. Suddenly a figure ,071 horseback appeared through the mist, riding towards the outpost:— The corporal was about to fire, but I snatched his rifle from him, whis- pering, "Let him come on." The mist was drifting in swathes over the hill and for a moment he was invisible; while I heard the horse advancing en the stony ground; then for a second I saw a commanding figure silheuetted against the 'grey mist. The corporal was so excited that he shouted to me quite loud: "Shoot, sir." The figure turned and galloped away, I fired, re- loaded, and fired again; I ran forward with the corporal, but although the range was not more than fifteen yards, I had made a clean miss both time. I make this one confident claim to dis- tinction, that I made the luckiest bad shot for the British Empire that any man has made! For the command- ing figure was Botha himself! He was reconnoitring his enemy's' front before making his desperate and suc- cessful attempt to break through. It was Botha himself, years later, who told General Seely of his escape, and it was Seely whc recommended the King to make Botha a lieutenant - general of the British. Army. "This is the first time," the King replied, "that I have been asked to make a man a lieutenant -general for his bril- liant services against us." But he made him a full general, and as the world knows, Botha lived to render invaluable service to the Empire. Preparing for War General Seely returned home to find himself a member of Parliament, and he devotes a large part of his book to the stormy politics of the ten years prior to the War. In a deeply inter- esting chapter he describes the growth of his conviction that war was inevit- able, and how as soon as he became Secretery for War in 1912 he set to work with redoubled energy and secrecy to prepare for it. In his view, the historian of the future will fasten "war guilt" not on any single person, however highly placed, but on the political aspiratione and policies cf the contending nations: and his de- finition of these rival policies will be a desire by Germany to expand, a resolve by England to maintain its status quo. In 1912 General Seely had an inter- view with General French with far- reaching consequences He came to me and said: "Would it not be a good plan for us to in- vite to our manoeuvres an eminent French soldier who is likely to take a leading part in the defence of France if the war which you antici- pate happens?" As always, the dif- ficulty in preparing without inciting undue suspicion and distrust was suf- ficiently obvious in this case. But I decided to take the risk, and said. "Yes. Whom shall we invite?" He replied: "I think the most remark- able man in the French Army, al- though he is far away from being senior, is a man called Foch." The Maori Princess In New Zealand he was nearly drowned again, and then came an ad- venture of a more romantic kind. While swimming one, day be a pool in the heart of the Maori country he encountered a lovely girl; "the most beautiful thing—animate or inanim- ate—that I had ever seen, like the most perfect Greek etatue, with the poise' of Raphael's young St. John the Baptist at Florence" and a "delici- ous enigmatic smile." She was the 'Sister of the local chief.—. The rest of the story is soon told. As we wandered about the great for- est finding strange birds, hot springs and occasionally the track of a wild boar, I was often with the princess —as she was called. She started, to teach me Maori, including many kind and friendly words in that singularly melodious language. I can still say in Maori that "my soul is filled with respectful adoration." It was all very delicious and innocent, but difficult to see how it could end. She gave up the Kiwi mats, and was dressed in ever-dbanging cos- tumes . of garlands of flowers and leaves. After a few days the chief came to see me and quite politely, but bluntly, asked me my intentions. To use the novelist's phrase, I was "torn with conflicting emotions." This girl of seventeen, though some would have described her as an untutcred savage, was without doubt the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Moreover, though she oould run and jump like a gazelle, and. swim like a salmon, she had the manner and bear- ing of a queen; thoughts and ideas of unbelievable charm and beauty. I had often heard people make speeches about cementing the Empire with' friendship and the union of 'hearts; here was a union ef hearts if ever there was one. But for Tom, we should have married and I min- ims° I should have become what was termed a "Pakeha Maori." Tom had only one argument and refused to give another single word of advise, He said I should break my mothers• heart. So they parted the next clay—how, General Seely tells in a•charming lit tis passage:— I put my arm round her, and kissed her, no rubbing of noses in native fashion, but a kiss from one to the other. She burst into tears and so, I confess, did I as I jumped into the canoe and, in a moment shot into the stream, under the deft blows of the twelve well -wielded paddles. Just before we rounded a bend I looked back and saw tier standing hand-in- hand with her brother. She waved farewell to me and I never saw her again. The Man Who Would Not Shoot When. the Boer War broko out Gen- eral Seely, who had meanwhile join- ed the Yeomanry, went out in charge of a squadron, and had two of the most amazing adventures of his life. 'While reconnoitering a ruined Kaffir kraal he was surprised by a shout of "Hands up!" from a small party of living big enough to control these Boers:— millions. They will stumble about, I stood quite still, watching a ma11 and then sit down helplessly in front aiming his rifle at me. It was a of each other, thinking only of their these, vast hordes, who mast Oat. your little AraiY, direeted by MY friend French, with. Your sea power enabling You to send them where you will, may well prove decisive if ever a conflict comes." , But before the conflict did come there were (molting events at borne. 'The One that affected General Seely Most closely, of tcourse, was the Cur, ragh incident, for IC led to his resign - llama He traces the development of that unhappy business temperately, and 0,s far as one can judge from th.e published documents, fairly, althougii the late Sir Arthur Paget would prob- ably have differed from him on more than one point, There was excitement to spare in those days, but it was not of the kind that appealed most to Seely's ac- tive temperament. He confesses that lie gtew sick of politics, and one can imagine the tightening of the lip and the squaring of the shoulders with which lie heard the fateful declara- tion of August 4th, 1914. Within a few days he was at the British Headquarters, "never expect- ing to see England again." Every clay his duties took him into the Brit- ish and French front lines and back to Headquarters to report personally to Sir John French what he bad seen. No man saw more in those weary, confused days, when whole armies stumbled blindly over the fields of France and Death lurked round every corner. But Fate was kind to Seely. Shells and pullets encompassed him, but, in the language of the time, his name was written on none of them. Eventually he went to Antwerp, where he found "the whole business in Winston's hands," He dominated the whole place: the Xing, Ministers, soldiers, sailors. So great was his influende that I am con- vinced that with 20,000 British troops the could have held Antwerp against almost any onslought. . . From all learned and all I saw, I think it very :possible that had Winston not brought his naval men to Antwerp, the Bel- gian Field Army would not have es- caped. Had Winston been. vigorous- ly supported, even thus late in the day, the Germans would have been forced to detach suck large forces that their advance cn Ypres would have been stayed, and "might have been prevented altogether. The Arrest of Mr. MacDonald • On General Seely's return to Head- quarters one night, General French told him that "some idiot at Dun- kirk" had addested Mr. Ramsay Mac- Donald, who had come over to visit a hospital, and asked him if he would put the matter right. He did so; "MacDonald took it very well, and after a word or two of serious pro- test, laughed the matter off." Later he took Mr. MacDonald up to the front line, and it was only by great good fortune that they escaped with their lives. They stumbled Into the middle of a French counter-attack; shells fell all round. them, their car was repeatedly lilt by bullets, and finally they took refuge in a support trench, where they were nearly shot as spies! From first to last, when he reached safety covered with mud, the future Prime Min.ister, says General SeelY, abellaved with the utmost cool- ness." Eventually General Seely was given the command of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, which he led with conspicu- ous gallantry and success. For their brilliant capture cf Moreuil Ridge at the end of March, 1913, which saved 'Amiens, they received high praise from Foch and General Rawlinson, and were mentioned in the communi- que of the day. Soon afterwards, suffering badly front the effects of gas, Seely was ordered home. He was one of the few non-pro- fessional soldiers who reached high rank as a combatant, and he scathing- ly criticizes theefollies of some of his superior officers. Many avoidable disasters, he says, were caused by the failure of commanders to make per- sonal surveys from the front line be- fore ordering an attack, and many hardships were traceable to their at- tempts to apply obsolete theories to new eonditions. He clearly ranked French above Haig, and symphathiz- ed with French when he was recalled. —John 0' London's Weekly. The wind frequently turns an um- brella, but a borrower seldom returns Foch's Prophecy And so Foch was invited. When the maneouvres were over, he made this striking prophecy : -- "The armies have outgrown the brains of the people who direct them. I do not believe that there is any man with the aid o1!1 companion and a clear, sunny morning, and he Was means of communicaction to SUPPIY Ilheroa=mactmommtmamar.^......0Q, MUTT AND JEFF— By BUD FISHER tA3 set..r WiTti 'le's Ce"Te- Stri lei Ce eJ t3UCla S A isi,'-t tvIriNG ..A5 scerrt szt&IG plooTNes. !, 5(e't t'S laG.AlhY --e 1-r.- 1t, IT! f.tr 1 .... —efeaf X'LL kaloate. 'Rita BIG FLOOR. LAMP FtM A RW cF SWialisii CUSTIaMS: Sunday School Lesson May 4, Leseon V—PrometIon In the Kingdom Matthew 20; 17-28. Golden Text—The Son of man Came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a paa- som for many,—Matthew 20. 28. ANALYSIS I. TEE WAX TO GLOR)', 1749- a FALSE AMBITION, 20-23. III. TRUE AMBITION, 24-28, INTRODUonoN—The conception of the kingdom of heaven runs through this Gospel of Matthew, and in our lesson. the problem of rewards in the kingdom comes up for discussion. I. TUE WAY TO GLORY, 17 -lb. The heroism of Jesus is evident in the decision to go up to Jerusalem. He kno ; that the issue between him and the scribes is reaching a climax, and that he has been marked out for death. But this was not to bo a mere result of fate. There was a willing choice on the part of Jesus to accept this path as the only one by which he could bring salvation to the race. We also are to notice how nis thoughtfulness fox...the disciples leads him to prepare them. They were filled with the idea that they were advanc- ing to a kingdom of great earthly power, in which they would :lave po- sitions of distinction, and now Jesus warns them against such futile hopes, and tells them clearly of the kind of reception they may expect. V. 18. It was the habit of Jesus to speak of himself as "the Son of man," a title which implied Messianic stand- ing, and which, in its best application, implied that he would at last return crowned with glory. But the way to such reward led through suffering. There is no misunderstanding in the mind of Jesus. V. 19. He also knows that, since the Jews cannot pronounce sentence of death, he will have to stand before the oman authorit-es; but hs sensitive nature shrinks before the cruel treat- ment which he will have to endure, He had frequently pictured the details of such a trial scene. But beyond the cross lay the crown He knows. that after death he will rise again mai re- turn to the fellowship of the Father. He always associates his resurrection with his deatia II, FALSE AMBITION, 20-23, It - He ---"You are the breath. of my life." She—"Let's see you hold your breath." MuTTI GIVE RIM A 130K1 G 1.C.S SON What New York Is. Wearing BY ,A.NNEBELLE WORTHINGTON V. 20. Ambition is not wrong in itself, and depends altogether upon the objects which we seek and the motives which inspire us. It is not wrong for this mother to have lofty aims for her sons, and we may admire be resolu- tion and insistence. V. 21. It was the way in which she puts her request, and the conditions involved in this, that were so wrong. Three things may be noted in her re- quest: (1) It revealed a total misap- prehension of the teaching of Jesus, who had come to bring a distinctly different kind of kingdom from that which she thinks of. He had never raised hopes of an earthly rule. (2) It was inconsiderate in that it placed Jesus in a very invidious position. He would either have to refuse her re- quest or else f he granted it he would awaken hard feelings on the part of others. (3) It was selfish in that she wished to get something at the expense of others. If her prayer were granted then the other disciples would have to be satisfied with lower positions. Thus rivalry and. envy would be started among them, all due to false ambition. V. 22. The answer of Jesus reveals at once his perfect wisdom and his wonderful courtesy. He first tells them that they do not know what they ask. They have not realized the na- ture of the kingdom. Then he does that which shows the fineness of his feelings. He knows quite well that the others will be very indignant at the two. Accordingly he asks James and John is they ere willing to pay the price of promotion, which is trial, hardship and possibly death. We respect )ple who go through hard- ships for their ambition, and Jesus tries to place these two in a good light as he shows them agreeing to accept this call to heroic service. V. 22. He refers to the condition of reward. The high places do not go to fameites—all is arranged by the Father in accordance with the laws of the moral world. If they will labor and serve worthily, they will be sure of a high place. Thus in a way Jesus grants them their request, at least he shows how they may obtain their h- itt. TREE AMBITION, 24-28. V. 24. The indignation of the ten is auite intelligible, and these others 110 doubt felt they were justified in being V. 25. But Jesus has a lesson for them also. Let them learn from this incident the lesson that earthly ambi- tion rests upon a f,.tlFe foundation The 'Passion for earthly power and dis- tinction is: that which inspires those --•1)1, •oa 1,14, er illustrated Dressmaking Lesson Furnished With Overg Pattern It's typically sports! A charming. wearable type that adapts itself to all the season's new fabrics. Several dresses may be made from, this Style No. 2841 and. each- one ap- pear entirely different. It is sketched in wool. jersey in chartreuse green, with dash of soft brown in grosgrain ribbon piping, bow tie and suede belt. Applied neckband gives smart finish to becoming collar- less Vionnet neckline. It comes in sizes 16, 18 years, 36, 38, 40 and 42 inches bust. Orangey-red or violet blue silk crepo is effective to complete ensemble. HOW TO ORDER PATTERNS Write your name and address plain- ly, giving number and size of such patterns as you want. Enclose 20c in stamps or coin (coin preferred; wrap it carefully) for eaeh number, and address your order to Wilson Pattern Service, '73 West Adelaide St,, Toronto. who guide the affairs cf the Roman Empire, which they so much hate and fear. IT. 26. The test of greatness in the kingdom of God is self-sacrificing sere' vice and love. There is a true ambi- tion, and it is to serve. Let this in- spire them, and they will forget all about worldly amhitions. The pure love of others will drive out all lower motives. "I'm glad George has worked out a' new system for playing the races." "Do you think it will win?' "No. But it will vary the conver- sation when he comes to explaining how he lost his mouey." Imitation forms our manners, our opinions, our very lives. ----john Weiss Jeff's Advice Reverses Its Gears. or/ &We aate • • L .2.