The Atlas Gentleman's Social Club 1945

[afleitch]

Gentlemen,

I do hope you are having a sporting time. At present of course the eyes of my Atlantic cousins are no doubt on weekend leisure pursuits such as foot-ball and base-ball. I am very much intrigued to hear of the signing to-day of the Hukuang Loan Agreement providing a $30,000,000 loan to the Imperial Government of the Chinese Empire. I fear that it will not bring the stability that is required.

Of course, stability may be more forthcoming in Mexico. Will the revolution there come to an end? There is talk of the signing of a peace treaty between the forces of Madero and those of Díaz.

Gentlemen, how do you feel about these events? What issues weigh heavily on your mind?

Sincerely

Mr Afleitch. Stop.

[afleitch]

I think that, at last, I will be able to exercise a right that ought to belong to all but which (in this class-ridden disgrace of a nation) is restricted only to around a third, yes, but a third, of the total population. Members may wonder what I have done to finally qualify and the answer is curiously simple when the bewildering complexity of the franchise is considered; having moved from cramped lodgings in Bangor to a significantly larger dwelling in Port Dinorwic (it seeming to make sense to move out of the fiefdom of the detestable Penrhyn's) I think I now pay enough in rent to have the right to vote. Is this not absurd? And does it not provide yet further evidence for the immediate necessity of Socialism in Wales, in Britain and overseas?

On that subject, I would urge members here to support - ideally using their considerable means - the cause of the South Wales Miners who have been fighting for their rights in a bitter dispute against both the coal owners and the Liberal government (which, as some will be aware, has actually sent the army into the coalfield and has allowed the police to murder strikers. This is not the first time that a Liberal government has acted in this way; if there was any need for a further demonstration of why the Labour Party is the only hope for the working men of this country, then these events speak for themselves) since the end of last year. Without these men your houses would not be warm, your streets would not be lit and your locomotives would stand idle.

It is sir, lamentable that there does not yet exist a fair and balanced method by which one may measure the true worth of a gentleman and furnish him with a vote accordingly. Yet I cannot agree that Socialism is the answer. It is untested and I daresay I highly doubt a socialist party has the ability to win any elections should the franchise for men be extended (and I daresay also, though do not let this spread, some women should be granted the vote in my own opinion) The best promise of reform comes from the Liberals. Sir, Scotland is a Liberal bastion, where dominance is secured amongst even the working men. Even indeed amongst the Irish. I do not think that shall wane.

On the question of the miners, I can not comment. I am not privy to any of the facts yet I am privilage to the hear-say. I do hope there is a speedy resolution without damage to people or property. But the miners must be aware that coal is like water throughout Great Britain. Seal one well and others will work at a greater capacity to compensate. The striking men must think of their wives and children. I agree the use of the army is perhaps most unhelpful. I do not quite understand why we need to retain such a large standing army within Britain. Europe is at peace.

[afleitch]

I daresay also, though do not let this spread, some women should be granted the vote in my own opinion.

Good God, man!  Have you utterly lost your senses?  What next; suffrage for under-graduates?  Or perhaps even the Negroes!

As an citizen of the Republic, I share the preceding replier's sentiment. Women would only vote the way their husband would. It would be discriminatory to bachelors, who would only get a single vote compared to married men's two.

A married woman may agree with her husband over supper, that is true. However in the ballot booth they would have complete independence over their decision and their husband will be unable to discover how they voted. They can then agree with their husband over supper once more. Almost fiendish; if I may chuckle for just a second.

[afleitch]

Learned gentlemen. Anything Mr Kalwejt says can be disregarded as the ramblings of a madman Prussian, or Russian or wherever he lives. The Poles clearly do not have their own state for a reason.

The police have heavily truncheoned him and he has been carted away.

You may continue with your correspondence.

[afleitch]

Speaking of the Orient, albeit a more Western bit, do you think His Majesty's Government's interests in India are threatened by the unrest in Persia, Afleitch?  I know your government recently came to an understanding with the Tsar, but there's no doubt that the Bear will pounce on the Peacock if it grows too weak.  Ever since that Revolution over there in 1906, it has become dreadfully complicated.  The Persians seem to be making up for a lack of progress in their history since Antiquity by shoving several centuries of history into a few years!

Oriental politics are not my strong suite Sir. However with Europe at peace any confrontations between the main powers are likely to occur in Asia. The Russians clearly have sights on Persia and the British must secure our interests to ensure that the Russians do not threaten India. I think this is somewhat unlikely of course, however with Ottoman weakness we must train a keen eye on the region at all times

Gentlemen. I will be taking a brief sojourn to Belfast at the end of this month for the launch of the hull of the RMS Titanic As an investor in White Star I am looking forward to her official launch next year. Perhaps I may sail on her myself. I have a curious desire to see New York.

Speaking of the city, do any New Yorkers plan to attend the opening of the New York Public Library by Mr Carnegie on the 23rd? Please let me know of the reception; I admire Mr Carnegie greatly.

[afleitch]

The Atlas Gentleman's Social Club of Psephology and Cartography 1924


Gentlemen.

If I may draw your attention away from the finer things in life for just a moment. I was just given the most frightful bums rush from a charming little club in Pimlico and here I am back in Glasgow once again. I took a bit of a jolly to Germany at the start of the month. It is very nice to see democracy in action though I am a little miffed that the Reds in all their hues seemed to do so well. Damned Bolshies went from 4 seats to 62 and the Social Democrats slipped back, but hey ho they still remain the largest party. No doubt we will have an election here soon.

Say, Yanks what's happening over there. Is Mr Coolidge a shoo in?

Yours

Afleitch

[afleitch]

Perhaps a gin and tonic will be just the tonic for the prior poster! I'm sure Mr Coolidge will be on fine form for this year; he's due to sign the new immigration act which is horridly biased towards certain peoples over others. As long as it doesn't affect leisure class tourism. Everyone I know is raving about New York this time of the year.

Mr. LaFollette has my vote, but Mr. Coolidge is popular, and the Democratic Convention was a disaster. How is the UK political situation going, with MacDonald and all?

It's a trifle boring if you ask me. Labour hold office by default since last year but are in the minority by far. I suppose socialism had to come to Westminster at soem point even if it only has one leg. Still it passed a housing bill to eradicate those awful slums. They are ghastly. Mr Macdonald is due to meet the old Allies again to do something about reparations. It still lingers over Europe like a nasty stench.

[afleitch]

A Jock and a Redcoat? I hope you mix your cocktails as well as you mix your metaphors.

[afleitch]

You have been away for some time; do you still support the Liberal Party, or have you switched (like many others) to the Conservatives?

I try not to underestimate the issue with housing I assure you. Slums are slums and I would not wish them on anyone. The best bet in Glasgow is for the Corporation to get the expansion to it's boundaries it desperately needs, build new homes and reduce the population in the city. Rich and poor alike live in tenements; it should be very easy to retain the housing stock by provide larger dwellings inside and introduce better plumbing. However it may not be of benefit to move a shipyard worker away from the docks and ask him by tram or by train to travel for an hour to work each day. It may cause some working men to stay, rather than move with their families.

On politics, as you know I am of Irish stock. It is very difficult to get a foot hold in polite Glasgow society. I do try and use my 'Protestant' surname to my advantage but the moment I am asked for my School Leavers Certificate (despite having other qualifications) the game is up. Frightfully childish. The same is true of the Unionists. However, it is probably easier to be involved with the Unionists in my position than it is to be involve myself in civic politics which is stained with a horrible Orangism that you don't get anywhere else. It won't help them in the grand scheme of things. It's not just an Irish concern; my favourite Gorbals tailor, Mr Glasser (wonderful Jew, likes a gamble, great suits) sympathises with the Unionists. However they won't have him, Liberals certainly won't have him so he's a Labour man. Perhaps I may drift there too out of necessity rather than desire.

I'm still a member of the Liberals as I still like the buzz of politics. But the game is up for the Liberals, there can be no doubt. That's why I spend so much time and waste so much money in London. There's more for my sort down there. I could easily be a Conservative there.

I'm probably 'trifle bored' by the Labour government as it's not what people thought it would be like. Nothing much to protest about and more to celebrate than I would care to admit. Perhaps three party politics that will be the way of things in the future. And if Mr MacDonald can get into bed with the Liberals, he can get into bed with anyone.

[afleitch]

I read a rather amusing titbit in the newspaper this morning.  Apparently, some Scotch fellow has invented a machine allowing an audience to view moving images simultaneously with the radio!  I had to check the newspaper's date to see if it was April the First.  The chap was calling it a "televisor" or somesuch.  What nonsense!

The principle is very interesting I have to say, but I cannot see it supplanting the Radio or the Cinema. Perhaps one day each town will own one, but I cannot see it catching on. Besides, it surely must be bad for the eyes.

[afleitch]

On another point, one more electoral, I wonder how safe Mr Asquith is at Paisley? His majority is tiny and he has never been the type to nurse a constituency (another contrast between him and Mr Lloyd George, of course. As a former constituent of his I can confirm that he may well have the largest personal vote in the country. I would not be surprised if Caernarvon Boroughs were to return a Conservative MP were he to retire as a very high proportion of the electorate now live in the seaside town of Llandudno) as we all saw when he lost in Fife a few years ago.

While I would like to think Mr Asquith should be returned in Paisley, if anything now that Labour are in government the Labour movement and the party itself has now been legitimised. The Liberals have been loosing touch with every bloc of voter they once counted upon in Scotland since the War. Labour are very well placed indeed to capitalise on that and there is no reason why a burgh such as Paisley should hold out against a Labour surge. But I cannot imagine the Liberals should fall too hard across Britain, certainly they should remain above 100-120 seats and will no doubt be king makers at the next election. I am losing my patience with them, but perhaps in a Britain of three parties on a level pegging I have more to gain personally by sticking with them. However should, as some commentators suggest, they be all but wiped out then the Conservatives and Unionists will be a more comfortable fit.

Curiously, I was at a debate organised by Glasgow University students yesterday and you will never believe what one of them said. I forget his name, but he was arguing about Home Rule for Scotland and the need for a dedicated 'National Scottish' party to represent that interest. He even suggested that Scotland should seek the status of a Dominion within the Empire. I was astounded. But then again, most universities are filled with young men who were boys during the War. I'm young too, but I served. Not such a great distance in age between myself and the students but such a chasm in our worldview. Frightening.

[afleitch]

War stories, anyone?

I'm 26 now. Was 17 when war broke out and as eager as I was I went straight to the recruitment office. At that time they could afford to be a little picky and on account of my bad eyesight I was passed up. I got a clerking job with the government in Glasgow and managed to stay there until late 1916 when things were looking so grim the army was happy to take anyone. I ended up working behind the trenches as a bicycle courier. It wasn't a combat role but I had my gun at all times. We were supposed to be on the lookout for Germans and I daresay, deserters from our own side. I was nifty on that bicycle, even through the mud which was like a bog in the summer and like rock during the winter but there were mines everywhere. I don't really like to talk about it much as everyone I mention it to seems to think I had it a little easy. I suppose they are right.

[afleitch]

The Atlas Gentleman's Social Club of Psephology and Cartography 1933

You lucky dogs you!

The Chicago World's Fair opens today which sounds super but Mr Roosevelt is also due to sign the Federal Securities Act. Which to some is a pity; my friends consider it to be more state intervention in business. Given the fact that some of us are still recovering from the Crash perhaps their concern is misguided. What irks me greatly is that the same friends seem to have no problem at all with Herr Hitler's state intervention; one was almost gleeful earlier this month when Germany banned trade unions. I can't abide that rot of a man. Sure, there is something to be said about Mussolini's fascism which seems to be working well for Italy, but Herr Hitler has delusions of grandeur that go far beyond simply trying to boost the German economy. The Times this morning reported on a law to introduce sterilisation. Horrid.

Over here, the National Government appears to be doing rather well. I don't expect an election for a few years though I am concerned about Mr MacDonalds health. Hey ho.

Yours,

Afleitch

[afleitch]

So, a friend of a friend of mine is a friend of Cole Porter's!  A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to have dinner at Cole and Linda's home.  They are a charming couple, and the light of society.

I adore Mr Porter! I'm lucky to have some of his musical numbers for my grammophone spirited away after my last sojourn to New York.  Linda's first husband I heard was such a beast. I sympathise with Mr Porter very much...

I can't say I have any admiration for Mr Stalin. Brutish, as they say is 'not British'; I understand that Russia for it's interest (though perhaps not ours) should be dragged into the 20th century (bypassing the 19th as it seems) but that will surely mean a confrontation with the West. The Poles, though little is said about it pushed them back from Warsaw in the 1920's. Should it happen again no doubt Germany will come to Poland's aid and we will have another war. The Russians will attack, mark my words. I'll be damned if Germany carries the torch of European civilisation.

[afleitch]

The Atlas Gentleman's Social Club 1940

THIS MESSAGE MAY HAVE BEEN INTERCEPTED BY HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT.

Bugger.

It's over. If my American friends get this message intact and uncensored may I say one thing in the utmost desperation. Please help us. I am currently stationed in CENSORED on the coast of France. The evacuation is progressing well. I hope to be out in the next 24hours. For me, perhaps for the nation the war is over.

PARAGRAPH CENSORED

The CENSORED have been sunk after a sustained air attack by the Luftwaffe. Luckily most of the aerial assault has been aimed at the transport ships and weaponry than on the men. I can't wait to get back to Glasgow and as far away as this CENSORED beach and as far away from London as possible.

American's don't think it won't affect you. It will. Do you think the Germans will stop at the Atlantic? Do you not think that a world dominated by Germany and Japan will have no consequences for you? War will come, even if you don't invite it on yourselves. You had better be ready.

[afleitch]

Hello Gents. I say, taking charge of this club? You Americans will be taking control of everything next! I jest of course. I am grateful for this club continuing in my absence. I've not fully been de-mobbed, but have returned from the British Mandate in Palestine. I may be asked to remain there as it is inevitable that this will become a safe haven for displaced Jews as per the Balfour Decleration and there will be a period of transition but I would really like to go back to my job in the civil service. Luckily Glasgow is relatively untouched by the war, physically I mean however I fear the emotional scars will remain.

[afleitch]

The only negative results I can think of are the return of two Communist members (one in Fife and one in the East End of London), and our failure to make much progress in Scotland, at least not in comparison with our sweeping gains elsewhere.

Sir, I think you'll find that the Unionist Party are likely to remain remarkably strong in the future here in Scotland. There is a concern that the socialists with a penchant for centralisation will ride roughshod over what differentiates Scotland from the rest of Britain. We are not very happy about these developments in the Scottish Office. Still, no doubt the socialists will run out of money sooner or later. I do think Mr Churchill should reconsider his position as leader of the national party, preferrably in favour of Mr Eden. He really ought to retire; the old fellow requires......


Apologies for that interruption, I received a telephone call from the Post Office courtesy of a gentleman friend of mine in Govan. The Ferguson lad next door has put a football through his window; boy isn't even at school and he's out kicking a football. Honestly, his father has to knock some sense into him.