When War Breaks Out
When War Breaks Out
The lengthy, official, title of this book is When War Breaks Out: being a selection from the letters of Andrew D. Jones, the London correspondent of “Calner’s Weekly,” during the war between Great Britain and the Allied Powers of France and Russia, September 21st, 1900, to January 1st, 1901. It was written by H. W. Wilson (otherwise known as Herbert Wrigley Wilson) and Arnold White and published in 1898.
Unlike most of the books previously discussed, this novel has no direct connection with Australia or the Australian interpretation of the invasion literature genre. When War Breaks Out is set entirely in Britain and concerns a war between Britain and the combined powers of France and Russia in the final months of 1900. It is presented in the form of letters written by a London-based American journalist, Andrew Jones, to his publishers in America. Letters are necessary because the cables which would normally enable communication have been one of the first casualties of the war. Jones’ task is to ‘concisely describe the social, strategic, naval, industrial and financial condition of Britain during the war…’ (pp. 5-6).
‘Literate and interesting’ is how Bleiler describes this book which is a good example of the genre (p. 822). While focusing more on the domestic ramifications of the war than the naval manoeuvres, it still manages to serve its purpose of raising a warning about the potentially disastrous consequences of complacency for those who live on an island. The final paragraphs of the book summarise the intentions behind the writing of the novel:
As for England, the lesson she has learnt is threefold: firstly, that, for a generation or two, she will not patiently submit to the encroachments, provocations and insults which were the immediate causes of the war. Secondly, measures will be taken forthwith to create a domestic food supply, since the nation too late perceives that home-grown wheat in time of war is not an economic but a strategical question. Thirdly, perhaps most important of all, the fleet will have to be increased so as to leave the question of superiority over any possible hostile combination no longer a matter of doubt. Eighty-five years of peace had tempted England to forget the realities of national existence; one hundred days’ war have taught her anew the lesson of sea-power – a lesson which will not be forgotten by this generation (pp. 93-4).