esterday, for he often
has the latest Admiralty news too. It was he who had the luck to be in
the passage when Lord FISHER and another Sea Lord executed their
historic waltz on the receipt of the news of STURDEE'S coup. I don't
pretend that he is always as worthy of credence as he was then; for he
has spread some false rumours too. He was, in fact, one of the busiest
eye-witnesses (once or twice removed) of the triumphant progress of
millions of Russians through Scotland and England some months ago. He
is not unaware of the loss of battleships of which nothing has yet
been officially stated. In fact, his unofficial news is terrific and
sometimes must be taken with salt. But denials do not much abash him.
He was prepared for them and can explain them.

His letters are interesting and cover a vast amount of ground. They
are sometimes very well written, and in differing moods he abuses the
enemy and pities them. He never grumbles but is sometimes perplexed by
overwork in the trenches. He hates having to stand long in water and
has lost more comrades than he likes to think about. One day he was
quite close to General JOFFRE, whom he regards as a sagacious leader,
cautious and far-sighted; another day he was close to Sir JOHN FRENCH,
and nothing could exceed the confidence which his appearance kindled
in him. On the morning of the KING'S arrival at the Front he was
puzzled by the evolutions of our air scouts, who seemed to have gone
mad; but it turned out that they were saluting HIS MAJESTY. Some of
his last letters were from the neighbourhood of Auchy and described
the fighting for the canal. He is a little inconsistent now and then,
and one day says he has more cigarettes than he can smoke, and the
next bewails the steady shortage of tobacco. As to his heroic actions
he is reticent; but we know that many of the finest deeds have been
performed by him. He has saved lives and guns and is in sight of the
V.C.

And what is his name? Well, I can't say what his name is, because it
is not always the same; but I can tell you how he is always described
by those who relate his adventures, his prowess, his news, his
suspicions and his fears. He is always referred to as "My son."

"My son," when all is said, is the real hero of the war.

* * * * *

It is all very well to warn the British public (naturalised or
otherwise) against supporting and comforting the enemy, but it might
have more effect if