22 JANUARY 1921, Page 2

No true Englishman will be able to read without the

warmest admiration for. Major G. H. Putnam the accounts in American newspapers which have just reached us of his encounters with Sinn Fein interrupters and meeting-breakers. Some months ago Major Putnam, a_ .veteran of the Civil War, and now, we believe, in his 77th year, tried to address a meeting in the Erasmus. Hall, Brooklyn, on the subject of the League of Nations and good relations between Great Britain and America. He was prevented from speaking. He made another attempt as described in the papers which have just arrived. As an American leader-writer says " The ammunition employed by the two sides differed in character. Mr. Putnam used reason. His opponents hooted, slammed desks, and called him a crook and a lackey of King George. The loser was not Mr. Putnam. His message will reach a much wider audience than the faw hundred revellers in Erasmus Hall. There can be nothing but admiration for the single-handed courage that will face insult and riot in behalf of a cause." • The same writer humorously expresses the belief that the third battle may be expected to take place in April. We offer our congratulations to Major Putnam not because he happened to say agreeable things about Great Britain but because he is a brave truth-telling man whose courage never falters with his growing burden. of years.