Mr. Conan Doyle and the War in South Africa
Mr. Conan Doyle and the War in South Africa is a review published in The Graphic on 25 january 1902.
The review is about the Arthur Conan Doyle's essay: The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct (1902).
Mr. Conan Doyle and the War in South Africa
This little book is one which every patriotic person would like to see distributed broadcast throughout the land. It is a worthy sequel to the author's book and overwhelmingly convincing reply to all the vile calumnies which have been assiduously promulgated with regard to the causes of the War, the conduct of our soldiers, the methods adopted in the Concentration Camps, and a host of other matters. The real point, and most admirable point it is which Doyle has in mind, is tersely set forth in his preface, which we can hardly do better than quote. He writes there :—
For some reason, which may either arrogance or apathy, the British are very slow to state their case to the world. At present the reasons for our actions and the methods which we have used are set forth in many Blue-books, tracts, and leaflets, but have never, so far as I know, been collected into one small volume. In view of the persistent slanders to which our politicians and our soldiers have been equally expose, it becomes a duty which owe to our national honour to lay the facts before the world. I wish someone more competent, and with some official authority, had undertaken the task, which I have tried to do as best I might from an independent standpoint.
There was never a war in history which the right was absolutely on one side or in which no incidents of the campaign were open to criticism. I do not pretend that it was so here. But I do not think that any unprejudiced man can read the facts without acknowledging that the British Government has done its best to avoid war, and the British Army to wage it with humanity.
To my publisher and myself this work has been its own reward. In this way we hope to put the price within the reach of all, and yet leave a profit for the vendor. Our further ambition is, however, to translate it into all European tongues, and to send a free copy to every deputy and every newspaper on the Continent and in America. For this work money will be needed a considerable sum. We propose to make an appeal to the public for these funds. Any sums which are sent to me or my publisher will be devoted to this work. There cannot be too much, for the more we get the more we shall do.
One is inclined to think it is more pride than apathy which has kept many Englishmen silent with regard to the monstrous charges levelled against our soldiers. It was Huxley who once that said he who condescends to argue with a fool must descend to the level of the fool so to do, and it goes against the grain of anyone with any sense of pride to solemnly refute the charges made by hysterical Dutch pastors, hysterical women, and hysterical journalists, it is unnecessary to mention names, for these will readily occur to the reader. Unfortunately it is an undeniable fact that this attitude is disastrous in its results. A credulous world, anxious to believe the worst of a country of which it is jealous, swallows with avidity the lurid calumnies, and is only too willing to assume that a dignified silence means that there is no reply which can be made. Wherefore the utmost credit is due to Mr. Conan Doyle for preparing with so much care this valuable and deeply interesting little pamphlet. It is so essentially fair-minded, so strictly based on facts, that it bears the evidence of truth on every page, and it shows with the most conclusiveness, the flimsy base which the campaign of calumny rests. If money is wanted to make the book widely disseminated, it seems almost a pity that the Government should not give it the cachet of its approval, and lend assistance so as to issue it semi-officially. In another than the controversial part of the book Mr. Doyle makes an interesting suggestion with regard to the future settlement of the country. He would have the Boers permitted to live in their own way, and under their own Government, in a reservation to be formed in a northern district of the Transvaal, the relations of which to the Empire might be those of an Indian protected State to the Government of India. Without some such plan, he says, the Empire will have no safety-valve in South Africa. Our portrait of Mr. Conan Doyle is by Elliott and Fry, Baker Street.
* "The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct." By A. Conan Doyle. Published by Smith Elder and Co. All copies supplied through George Newnes, Southampton Street.
