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.

[Joe Republic]

Greetings from these United States of America to our noble Scotch cousin!

I fear that my understanding of affairs in Mexico and the Orient are not as deep as yours, however this is not something I lament.  The heathen regions of the World are of no concern to me, and nor should they be so.

Do any fellows have any predictions for the outcome of the forthcoming Election for the Presidency?  Mine is in favor of a decisive victory for Mr. Taft over Mr. Clark of Missoura.

The following is a cartographical depiction of my prescience:

Wm. H. Taft... 387 collegiate votes
J. B. Clark... 144 collegiate votes

[Insula Dei]

Greetings from the Belgian Congo, my friends!

The situation  in Mexico is being followed even in this desolate corner of the world with great interest. I salute the imminent fall of the ignominious Diaz regime with great pleasure, yet hope the revolutionaries don't want too much too fast. Modest Reforms should be the key word of this new era for the Country!

Furthermore I would like to mention that whatever reports are reaching you about the ill-treatment of the aboriginals of this savage jungle are fully exagerated. Surely every great movement in the history of man has had its few rotten spots, but on the whole the natives have every reason to thank us for spreading the gift of civilization to darkest Africa.

I hope to be present at the Club's next annual meeting in London next March.

Belgianliberal

[Lief 🗽]

While I am hopeful that Madero's forces will be the victors in Mexico, the future of that country quite obviously lies with radical agrarian reform, as argued for by Emiliano Zapata and his followers. In fact, I am so enamored of Mr. Zapata that I will be attaching a very large photograph of him to the bottom of all my correspondence sent into this society for the foreseeable future (along with, just under the portrait, a delightful quotation from one of our society's members, perhaps our resident Oklahoman snake-oil peddler's assistant).

[Hash]

It seems as if Mr. Laurier will be defeated in the Dominion elections here in Canada, fought over reciprocity with the United States. While certainly Alberta and Saskatchewan will go solidly Liberal, Mr. Borden's Conservatives will sweep Ontario and do remarkably - unusually - well in Quebec. And thus win.

[The Mikado]

I, of course, support Senor (This confounded telegraph cannot capture the Spanish enye) Madero, but I am suspicious of his allies.  That Villa threatens my interests in borderland agriculture...I will not have any cross-border raids.  As for Zapata, the leader of the tamale-eating peasants of Chiapas, the less said the better.

As for events in the eternal Celestial Empire, several of my relatives are currently missionaries over there.  They all say that Sun Yat-Sen has America's interests at heart and would be a fine replacement for the pitifully weak Qing regime.  They also expressed a great deal of admiration for this General Yuan Shikai.  Apparently, his Beiyang army is the most impressive and modern military force in the Orient, excepting of course his Imperial Majesty Meiji's force in Japan.  But then, the Japanese are hardly Oriental anymore!  Quaint, in many ways, but they lack the backwards features (complacency and arrogance) of the rest of the Mongoloid race.

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!

On that same note, I have become a grand admirer of young Enver Pasha and his reforms in Turkey.  With the speed the Ottoman Empire is modernizing, I see the sick man of Europe getting off his deathbed.  There's no reason the Ottoman Empire cannot make it to the end of the century with men like the Young Turks in charge.

[Lambsbread]

-hiccup- Where's the booze?

(my sig):

Taft '12!

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Tell me, can anyone here tell me of any good hotels in Indianapolis?

I'm thinking of taking the New York Central down from here in Grayling to be there next weekend to catch the race to be held there on Decoration Day.  500 miles is too long for an automobile race, but Harroun will be coming out of retirement to drive.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I do say, have any of you heard the rumors that our own former President Theodore Roosevelt may be running against his own self appointed successor, William Howard Taft? I am duly aware that Roosevelt was one of the most beloved of leaders, however, in accordance with the tradition laid down by our great founder and first President Washington, should he not decided to stay out of the race for the sake of the integrity of our Republic? I do desire to hear and listen to the opinions of my colleagues on this important matter.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

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.

[feeblepizza]

I do say, have any of you heard the rumors that our own former President Theodore Roosevelt may be running against his own self appointed successor, William Howard Taft? I am duly aware that Roosevelt was one of the most beloved of leaders, however, in accordance with the tradition laid down by our great founder and first President Washington, should he not decided to stay out of the race for the sake of the integrity of our Republic? I do desire to hear and listen to the opinions of my colleagues on this important matter.

I recall reading such a theory in a newspaper a short while ago. I believe that President Roosevelt, with his abrasive manner and willingness to cause ripples in the theoretical political pond, would be open to advancing in such a manner when the nominating season comes upon us. However, President Taft (with his stately manner and value for moderation) is a much better fit for the the Party and for the Republic. I believe that if pitted against Mr. Roosevelt in a battle for the nomination, he would win due to those very traits. Of course, Mr. Roosevelt could just as well launch a general election bid under a third party, but that would be very unwise of him if he hoped to attain any collegiate votes.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Saw an interesting two-reeler at the local nickelodeon last night.  Ramona was an insightful movie that adapts the novel of the same name that shows the injustice of racial prejudice.  I think the director, D.W.Griffith, has a bright future ahead of him.  He definitely took advantage of the location shots in Southern California.  Of course, studio production will remain in the east unless the Edison Trust becomes too obnoxious.

[Lambsbread]

So how about them Philadelphia Athletics beating those God-forsaken New York Giants in the base ball championship?

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

It is with great concern that I address the topic of elections here in Canada. In the Province of British Columbia we are seeing a very worrying growth for extreme Socialists! They now have two representatives in that province's legislature, and have captured 2 of every 17 votes! Here in Ontario, while we are free of Socialism, we have a "Labour" member who proposed such radical initiatives, such as a minimum wage, and an eight hour day! This is most worrying. I hope that all will vote for their Liberal candidate, as the Liberals are clearly the most opposed to this sort of insanity; the Conservatives are far too close to these madmen for my comfort.

[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.

[Joe Republic]

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!

[hawkeye59]

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.

[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.

[ilikeverin]

Goodness me!  I was perusing the archives of the Michigan Agricultural College, when I happened upon a recent study by a certain "Charles Spearman", a gentleman who fashions himself a "psychologist", who is studying somewhere in Germany.  I am not sure what his paper was doing in the archives of the M.A.C., but I read with interest his application of novel statistical procedures to scores on certain texts.  To my surprise, Spearman used these techniques to isolate a single score predictive of scores on several of these measures, which he called "G".  I wonder the origins of this "G".  Are we born with a "G", or does someone give us it?  To be safe, I have made myself a "G", which I will carry around in my trousers.

Though our mode of communication does not permit pictorial representations, I send all of you a very large smile, as well as a hearty embrace, replicated threefold.

[Joe Republic]

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.

Such an act of un-matrimonial defiance is a truly chilling vision of a World gone Mad!  The scenario you have depicted is one that perfectly epitomizes why the skittish, childish mind of the Woman should never be granted the same powers as we Gentlemen to influence the policy of the Masses, or to decide upon the government of To-morrow!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

You fat, bloodsucking bourgeoisies! You may isolate yourself in a comfortable clubs around your fancy psephology and cartography, but you won't escape justice of the street.

LONG LIVE ANARCHY!

[Bacon King]

You fat, bloodsucking bourgeoisies! You may isolate yourself in a comfortable clubs around your fancy psephology and cartography, but you won't escape justice of the street.

LONG LIVE ANARCHY!

What madness! I must ask, indeed, how did a rabble-rouser such as this Polack fellow manage to earn membership within our esteemed Gentleman's Society?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

You fat, bloodsucking bourgeoisies! You may isolate yourself in a comfortable clubs around your fancy psephology and cartography, but you won't escape justice of the street.

LONG LIVE ANARCHY!

What madness! I must ask, indeed, how did a rabble-rouser such as this Polack fellow manage to earn membership within our esteemed Gentleman's Society?

I believe I owe you an explanation, sir. I didn't earn a membership, I simply hit the butler and entered this room.

Now, sir, you'll have to excuse me. I'll be busy with throwing this bomb on you.

[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.