The Henson Journals

[350]

Tuesday, September 26th, 1916.

785th day

There was another Zeppelin raid last night, and it is said that bombs were dropped on York and Darlington, but we have no details, and the London papers are held up. There are rumours of considerable damage having been done.

I went to the Bank, and directed Mr Moult to purchase for me £500 of “War Savings". This costs £387.10.0: and still leaves in my deposit account £212.10.0.

At 2 p.m. there was a special service for the Freemasons in connexion with the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge. Over 600 Freemasons attended the service, and made a fine spectacle in the Cathedral. Lord Barnard as P.G.M. occupied the Dean's stall, and Victor Williamson as P.P.G.M. sate beside him. At 3 p.m. the annual meeting was held in the Chapter House which was filled to its utmost capacity. I was admitted to the office of P.G.C. for the coming year. Lord Barnard, Victor Williamson, Lord Maitland, Gerald Liddell, and a stranger came into the Deanery, &, had tea after the meeting.

I received, corrected, & returned the proof of my Edinburgh Review Article. Also I wrote to Ella.

Olive wrote to me, & enclosed the document which I have transcribed on the next page, and which she wants to have again in order that she may return it to its owner. It certainly "gives one to think". The authority of Christianity must have fallen very low in any community which could tolerate such a plan for repairing the wastage of war: but there is no reason why the 7th Commandment should receive more consideration than the 6th, when once War has claimed to govern its procedure by the plea of "Necessity".

[348]

Translation of a German document dated 20/2/16, found on a German Prisoner recently captured.

"Committee for the increase of the Population"

Notice . No. 13875.

Sir,

On account of all the able bodied men having been called to the Colours, it remains the duty of all those left behind, for the sake of the Fatherland, to interest themselves in the happiness of the married women and maidens by doubling or even trebling the number of births.

Your name has been given to us as a capable man, & you are herewith requested to take on this office of honour and to do your duty in right German style. It must here be pointed out that your wife or fiancée will not be able to claim a divorce: it is in fact to be hoped that the women will bear this discomfort heroically for the sake of the War.

You will be given the district of …………. Should you not feel capable of coping with the situation, you will be given three days in which to name someone in your place.

On the other hand, if you are prepared to take on a second district as well, you will become a "Deckoffizier" and receive a pension.

An exhibition of women & maidens as well as a collection of photographs is to be found at our office. You are requested to bring this letter with you.

Your good work shd commence immediately & it is in your interests to submit to us a full report of results after 9 months.

1ct Army

22/3/16

W. L. O. Twiss, Major

General Staff

[marginal note:] It is, I think, now universally allowed that this document was an independent fabrication: but it passed as genuine with us in the fog of malicious credulity in which we were living in 1916. Herbert Dunelm: March 28th 1921.

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