REPRISALS OR EQUAL TREATMENT.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."]
Ens,—Though agreeing with much you say in the matter of reprisals, or, as it may preferably be put, equal treatment, as a general code of morals obtaining amongst civilized nations, yet I do not think that it is either wise or judicious to deal thus leniently with the Germans. The Germans have deliberately, and of set intent, placed themselves outside the pale of civilization. They have committed again and again unspeakable horrors against the rules of civilized warfare and against the recognized codes of humanity. One does not treat a good dog and a mad dog exactly alike. The German is, by nature and training, a bully, and all a bully understands is a hard hit straight between the eyes. The French know this, and, acting on it promptly, find that the German bully climbs down at once. The Germaii snaps his fingers at threats of what we will do after the war. He knows perfectly well that once peace negotiations are in progress comparatively small episodes which happened perhaps years back will not be allowed to stand in the way of great agreements. This matter of equal treatment is, I venture to think, a purely military one and not one of sentiment. And I for one am convinced that if, instead of palavering and talking and discussing like so many lawyers, we dealt straight and strong every time as soldiers do, we should hear very little more of German frightfulness on land or sea. The German is not only a bully but a nervous bully, and that class is very easily dealt with if taken in the right way.—I am, Sir, &c.,
GEORGE YOUNGHUSDAND.
[If that is so, and it may be, let us use the threat of " no guarter." That is a legitimate reprisal. To kill in cold blood a man to whom you granted his life and who is in a privileged position, is not a legitimate reprisal.—ED. Spectator.]
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