Article from The Varsity newspaper
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LOOK
Read this newspaper article from December 1914, a few months after the start of the First World War (see the transcript below). What are its key points?
THINK
Read this newspaper article. Do you agree with its arguments? Explain why or why not. Use the Historical Context provided to inform your decision.
DO
Make a list of actions you can take if you don’t agree with something happening around you. Writing letters and attending protests are two examples.
DO
Are civil liberties being infringed upon, or are injustices happening in Canada today? Do some research on the issue(s) and write an opinion piece to your local newspaper, explaining your thoughts.
Details
Date December 4, 1914
Materials - Paper
- Ink
Transcript
TORONTO, DEC. 4, 1914.
Canadian Reign of Terror
Are we to have a reign of terror in Toronto? Is each person to accuse everyone else of being pro-German, when everyone else refuses to become infected with undiscriminating, flag-waving, traitor-denouncing hysteria? The Toronto World does not realize its responsibilities as a public organ. Into a community at present very highly strung it throws inflammatory accusations for which it does not bring proof. It backs one side of a case as though to suppose there were another side is treason to the Empire.
The Toronto World has a wider circulation than The Varsity. To fight fairly and decently it should, at least, not distort The Varsity’s words, leaving a wrong impression in the minds of those who would do not know The Varsity. The World says that The Varsity “attempts to place these three professors in the same place as our Prince of Wales.” The Varsity made no such attempt. The argument was, that the fact of Prof. Benzinger’s having relatives in the German army had nothing to do with his position in the country. If Prof. Benzinger were to be dismissed on this ground, as the World seemed to urge in a former editorial, it would be logical to ask for the dismissal of King George V because it was his first cousin who started this whole trouble.
In a high and mighty manner, without descending to argument or reason, the World characterizes The Varsity’s article as “redolent of the inspiration which comes from pro-German and anti-British advocates”. The World then quotes from Varsity’s last issue: —
“The suggestion that they, the German professors, have the opportunity to poison the mind of the Canadian youth and are using it is puerile. It is an insult to the men and women who are studying their guidance. Further, these same men and women are the first to contemptuously repudiate such a suggestion.”
The World says, “This is evidence enough that the Germans are poisoning …
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The minds of the Canadian youths who edit The Varsity or they would not yield to such specious pleas.” The World is not an adept in handling evidence. The profound absurdity of this comment of the World’s may be glimpsed in the fact that the editors of The Varsity who are responsible for that article have never spoken to, or in any way come in contact with, or come under the influence, direct or indirect, of the professors in questions.
Says the World, “It seems probable from President Falconer’s letter in reply to Colonel Wilkie’s communication, that he will accept the popular wish in the matter as the standard of action, and that the resignation of the three professors whose presence on the University staff has been regarded as undesirable will be require.”
Does the World wildly dream that it represents the popular wish? Even had the World any means of finding out the popular wish, so far only one side of the question has been forced on the public’s attention, and correct public opinion cannot yet have been formed.
The very title of the World’s editorial of yesterday contains and unwarranted assumption – “Alien Enemies in Toronto University”. It has yet to be shown that the gentlemen in question, though they may be “alien”, are “enemies.”
We quote from the Order in Council of H.R.H. the Governor General in Council, given out on August 7th, 1914. Being very sensitively loyal, the World should obey it to the letter: –
“Whereas there are many immigrants of German nationality quietly pursuing their usual avocations in various parts of Canada and it is desirable they such persons should continue in such avocations without interruption;
“Therefore His Royal Highness the Governor General in Council is pleased to Order and it is herby Ordered as follows:–
“(1). Such persons so long as they quietly pursue their ordinary avocations, shall not be arrested, detained or interfered with unless there is reasonable ground to believe that they are engaged in espionage, or attempting to engage in acts of a hostile nature, or to give information to the enemy or unless they otherwise contravene any law, Order in Council or proclamation.”
Let the World prove anything against these “alien” gentlemen in the sense of this Order in Council, and the whole matter will assume another complexion.
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- Some Canadians did not agree with hostility towards those from enemy countries.
- This article from the University of Toronto student newspaper opposes the firing of three German-born professors.
Although it seemed that the majority of Canadians were angry and sometimes violent towards citizens and residents from enemy countries, there were a few who spoke up in their defence.
In this article, University of Toronto students oppose the firing of three German-born professors. Victims of widespread hostility, the professors resigned in December 1914. Their Canadian supporters were criticized in the media.
Although it seemed that the majority of Canadians were hostile towards citizens and residents from enemy countries, there were a few who spoke up in their defence.
In this article, University of Toronto students oppose the firing of three German-born professors. Victims of widespread hostility, the professors resigned in December 1914. Their Canadian supporters were roundly criticized in the media.
- Some Canadians did not agree with hostility towards those from enemy countries.
- This article from the University of Toronto student newspaper opposes the firing of three German-born professors.
Although it seemed that the majority of Canadians were angry and sometimes violent towards citizens and residents from enemy countries, there were a few who spoke up in their defence.
In this article, University of Toronto students oppose the firing of three German-born professors. Victims of widespread hostility, the professors resigned in December 1914. Their Canadian supporters were criticized in the media.
Although it seemed that the majority of Canadians were hostile towards citizens and residents from enemy countries, there were a few who spoke up in their defence.
In this article, University of Toronto students oppose the firing of three German-born professors. Victims of widespread hostility, the professors resigned in December 1914. Their Canadian supporters were roundly criticized in the media.
Summary
- Some Canadians did not agree with hostility towards those from enemy countries.
- This article from the University of Toronto student newspaper opposes the firing of three German-born professors.
Essential
Although it seemed that the majority of Canadians were angry and sometimes violent towards citizens and residents from enemy countries, there were a few who spoke up in their defence.
In this article, University of Toronto students oppose the firing of three German-born professors. Victims of widespread hostility, the professors resigned in December 1914. Their Canadian supporters were criticized in the media.
In-Depth
Although it seemed that the majority of Canadians were hostile towards citizens and residents from enemy countries, there were a few who spoke up in their defence.
In this article, University of Toronto students oppose the firing of three German-born professors. Victims of widespread hostility, the professors resigned in December 1914. Their Canadian supporters were roundly criticized in the media.