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Tag: Sir Winston Churchill

  • Winston Churchill’s sister-in-law urged him not to convert to Islam

    Winston Churchill’s sister-in-law urged him not to convert to Islam

    British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill (AFP Photo/Cpt Tanner, No 2 Army Film and Photographic Unit)
    British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill (AFP Photo/Cpt Tanner, No 2 Army Film and Photographic Unit)

    Sir Winston Churchill’s family begged him to “fight against” the desire to convert to Islam, according to a newly-discovered letter.

    “Please don’t become converted to Islam; I have noticed in your disposition a tendency to orientalise, Pasha-like tendencies, I really have,” the letter from Churchill’s future sister-in-law, dated August 1907, says, the Independent reported.

    “If you come into contact with Islam your conversion might be effected with greater ease than you might have supposed, call of the blood, don’t you know what I mean, do fight against it,” Lady Gwendoline Bertie, who was soon to marry Churchill’s brother Jack, added.

    The letter was found by a historian at Cambridge University, Warren Dockter, while he was researching for his book ‘Winston Churchill and the Islamic World: Orientalism, Empire and Diplomacy in the Middle East’.

    The former UK prime minister was greatly interested in Islam and oriental culture, but “never seriously considered converting,” Dockter told the paper.

    Churchill in military uniform, 1895. (Image from Wikipedia/the Imperial War Museum)
    Churchill in military uniform, 1895. (Image from Wikipedia/the Imperial War Museum)

    “He was more or less an atheist by this time anyway. He did however have a fascination with Islamic culture, which was common among Victorians,” he added.

    Churchill became acquainted with Islamic culture during his army service in Sudan, and was greatly taken with it.

    The researcher noted the possible reason behind the letter, and that those close to Churchill needn’t have been worried. He may have been a great admirer of the culture, but was also critical in his views on Islamic society.

    “The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men,” Churchill wrote in 1899 of his experience in Sudan.

    Russia Today (UK), 29 December 2014

  • WİNSTON CHURCHİLL AND GALLİPOLİ COMPAİN ( PART–1 )

    WİNSTON CHURCHİLL AND GALLİPOLİ COMPAİN ( PART–1 )

    18 March 2013 was the 98. th anniversary of the wonderful defence of Dardanelle Straits by Turkish and German soldiers. Any one who reviews the history can easily see that, one man had the whole responsibility of these bloodshed operations. He was the First Lord of the British Admiralty, Winston Churchill. We think it would be better to recognize him in order to understand how and why Mr Churchill devoted himself so much to this operation.

    The year 1874 was an eventful one for Lord Randolph- he had been elected to parliament and he had married the girl he loved.Then, on 30th of November, his first son, Winston Leonard Spenser Churchill was born at Blenheim, the ancesteral estate of the Dukes of Malborough. Two years later he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of İreland by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. Winston’s earliest memories are of these Dublin-years. While his father was busily involved in advancing his political career, Lady Churchill was equally busy with social activities. As a result Winston was really brought up by his nurse, Mrs. Everest.

    With his father’s encouragement, Winston began to prepare for Sandhurst, the West Point/Harp Okulu of England. He took the Sandhurst entrance examinations twice and failed both times. With his third try , Winston won the examinations and he was accepted Sandhurst. At the end of two years, he was graduated with honours from sandhurst, eight in a class of one hundred and fifty.(1) His memories with this school is as fallows:

    “İn Sandhurst I had a new start. I was no longer handicapped  by post neglect Latin, French or Mathematic. We had now to learn fresh things and we all started equal. Tactic, Fortification, Tophography ( map making), Military Law and Military Administration formed the whole curriculum. İn addition were Drill, Gymnastic and Riding. My father instructed his book seller Mr.Brain to send me any book I might require for my studies. So I ordered many books, including stories dealing with the American Civil, Franco-German and Russo-Turkish wars.(2) Sometimes I was invited to dine at the  Staff Collage, less than a mile away, where all the cleverest officers in the Army were being trained for the high command.(3) Here the study was divisions, Army Corps and even whole Armies, of bases ,of supplies and lines of communication and railway strategy. This was thrilling. My father arranged for me to go through additional course of riding school at Knightbridge Barracks with the Royal Horse Guards. I think I was pretty well trained to sit and menage a horse. This is one of the most important things in the world.” (4)

    İn March 1895, Churchill received his commision in the 4th Hussars, a crack cavallary regiment composed of selected soldiers. İn the same year there was a revolt in Cuba against Spain. Using all his family connections, he obtain permission for himself and another subaltern.Then he went to see the editor of the London Daily Graphic and offered his services as a foreign correspondent- for a fee.The editor agreed to pay him 25 $ for each article he sent in. Early in September they arrived to Havana.(5)

    İn September 1896 his main unit 4th Hussars was  sent to İndia in a ship. While he was there,he heard about the revolt of Patans who where living in the North-West frontier of İndia. Churchill lost no time in calling on the editor of a local paper, The Allahabat Pioneer and easily talk the newspaperman into putting him on the staff. Churchill’s mother , who was being kept informed by wire , used her influence in London to get him an appointment as war correspondent for the Daily Telegraph. Thus armed with assignments from two newspapers, Churchill approached his commanding officer and wheeled an extended leave to cover the fighting. For the next two months Churchill stayed with the Army that was fighting what came to be known as the Frontier War. All during this time he was sending his reports on the fighting to the Daily Telegraph and Allahabat Pioneer. Signed simply “by a young officer” his articles became a sensation in the London newspaper world. Churchill had never thoought of himself as a  professional writer, but his ability on style had improved greatly since his reports on the Cuban War. He was beginning to show a real talent for writing. He collected all of his newspapers articles, added some new material  and in March 1898, his “The Story of the Malakand Field Force” was published. When his publisher sent him his share of the profits, Churchill was amazed to learn that it was equal  to two years of his pay as an officer. İt was then that he began to think seriously of a career as a military writer covering wars whereever they broke out in the World. He made his mind to resign from the Army as soon as the trouble in İndia was over and concentrate on writing.(6)

    Soon after the end of the Frontier War, news reached İndia that a British Army under General Herbert Kitchener’s  command was gethering in Egypt for an attack on rebel forces in the Anglo-Egyptian-Sudan. Some years earlier The British Commander in Sudan, General C.G.Gordon had been killed by Dervish Army elements. This time British were ready to avange the murder of General Gordon. Every officer in İndia was eager for a chance  to take part in this campaign. Churchill promptly applied for a transfer for Africa. His application to join the Anglo-Egyptian Army had been approved by the war office, but the commander Sir Herbert Kitchener wanted no part of him.He did not like young upstars who wrote books that criticized and gave advice to the high command. Churchill, however, was not going to accept defeat so easily. He obteined leave from his regiment and took the next boat to London.With her mothers effords he received a letter from the private secretary of Lord Salisbury, the Prime Minister. Lord Salisbury had read his book on İndia and like it.After their meetings, Salisbury sent a telegraph to General, couldn’t Kitchener find a place for young Churchill? But Kitchener didn’t change his mind and refused to accept Churchill as a regular army officer. But several days later Churchill received the following note from the war department:

    “ You have been attached as a supernumerary Lieutenant to the 21st Lancers for the Sudan Campaign…İt is understood that you will proceed at your own expense and that in the event of your being killed  or wounded in the impending operations or for any other reasons , no charge of any kind will fall on British Army Funds. Churchill hurried down to the offices of the Morning Post and persueded the editor to give him an assignement as a war correspondent.This job would at least pay his expenses. Six days later he was in Cairo.(7) Churchill  expected a message from General Kitchener ordering him to leave Africa, at any moment. But he later learned that Kitchener was glad upon hearing of the young officer’s  appointment. He overcomed the Dervish Army problem and Churchill wrote all the stories of war to the Morning Post newspaper. Morning Post paid more than 300 pound for his series of articles on the battle of Omdurman. His new stories on the Sudan had attracted a great deal of attention and his name was beginnig to make an impression outside social and army circles.Churchill planned to resign from the army before the end of the year and he gave considerable thought to a writing career. As an author he would earn much more money than he ever could as a professional soldier. Beside this, the opportunity for adventure and travel would be limitless.

    Another possibility was a career in politics.During a visit to the Conservative Party headquarters, he was asked by a party member if he would be available to speak at a few fortcoming political events. Churchill made his first political speech in the city Bath and he was more amazed when the audience cheered him wildly. The next day Morning Post printed his speech and even published an editorial which proclaimed him a new and exciting figure on the political scene. Shortly after, he resigned from the Army.(8) During the voyage to London he spend most of his time complating a book on the Nile Campaign. Entitled “The River War”, it turned out to be a success with critics and public alike.(9) There was a special election, was being held in Oldham,Lancashire. The leaders of the Conservative Party thought that this would be a good opportunity for Churchill to get some experience in politics by seeking a seat in the House of Common. He enjoyed the campaign but lost his first election by 1300 votes.

     

    REFERANCES:

     

    (1)   Quentin Reynolds: Winston Churchill, p.2-12 (Random House New York-1963)

    (2)    Winston S. Churchill: My Early Life, p.51 (Collins Fontana Books, 8th impression, London And Glasgow – 1972)

    (3)     I have had the honour of to be a student of this school (British Staff Collage Camberley) in the year of 1971

    (4)     My Early Life, p.52-53

    (5)     Q.Reynolds, p.17-18

    (6)     Q.Reynolds, p.33-34

    (7)     Q.Reynolds, p.36-39

    (8)     Q.Reynolds, p.46-49

    (9)     Winston Churchill, The River War- Battle of Omdurman.

             

     Dr. M. Galip Baysan

  • BNP on Question Time: Nick Griffin uses BBC to attack Islam and defend the Ku Klux Klan

    BNP on Question Time: Nick Griffin uses BBC to attack Islam and defend the Ku Klux Klan

    The BBC was under siege last night after the leader of the BNP used his appearance on Question Time to attack Muslims and homosexuals while defending the Ku Klux Klan.

    By Robert Winnett and Rosa Prince

    A10Nick Griffin said Islam was not compatible with life in Britain, while describing homosexuals as “creepy”.

    However, he admitted sharing a platform with the Ku Klux Klan, which has carried out racist attacks across America’s Deep South, and defended leaders in the organisation as “non-violent”.

    The remarks provoked indignation from other members of the BBC panel and hostile parts of the audience, some of whom booed, calling him “a disgrace”.

    The BNP leader said he could not explain for legal reasons why he had previously sought to play down the Holocaust and had now changed his mind. He was challenged by Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary and a fellow panellist, who said there was no such law.

    Mr Griffin defended his use of Sir Winston Churchill on BNP literature on the basis that his father had fought in the Second World War. He claimed that Churchill would have been a member of the BNP and was “Islamophobic” by “today’s standard”.

    Asked whether he denied that millions of Jews and other minorities had been killed by the Nazis, Mr Griffin would only reply: “I do not have a conviction for Holocaust denial.”

    He was then chastised by David Dimbleby, the host of the programme, for smiling.

    The controversial statements were made in response to intense questioning by members of the audience from ethnic minorities.

    BBC Television Centre in west London came under siege as filming took place, with MPs joining hundreds of protesters behind lines of police. There were six arrests as dozens of protesters attempted to storm the studio.

    BBC studios in Hull, Scotland and Wales were also targeted by demonstrators. The cost of the police operation was estimated to have been more than £100,000.

    The BBC was certain to be questioned over why it allowed Mr Griffin to air such controversial views but executives were hoping that the intensive questioning that he faced would justify their decision to invite him on the Question Time panel for the first time.

    The BBC, which Mr Griffin denounced on the programme as “ultra-Leftist”, had claimed that impartiality rules meant that it had little choice but to invite him on to the programme after the BNP won seats in the European Parliament in elections this year.

    He was joined on the panel by Mr Straw, Baroness Warsi, the Tory spokesman on community cohesion, Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesman, and Bonnie Greer, a black American playwright.

    Mr Griffin was seated next to Miss Greer.

    One of the most controversial moments came when Mr Dimbleby asked the BNP leader why he had been pictured with David Duke, the former leader of the Klan. Mr Griffin claimed that parts of the racist group, officially classed as a “hate organisation” in America, were “non-violent”.

    However, he insisted: “I’m not a Nazi and never have been.” He claimed that he was “the most loathed man in Britain” among British fascists.

    He was questioned over his views on Islam and said it had “good points” but “does not fit in with the fundamental values of British society”.

    He described white Britons as “aboriginals here”. “The indigenous people of these islands, the English, the Scots, the Irish, the Welsh, the people who have been here for the last 17,000 years, are the aboriginals. The majority of British people are descended from people who have been here since time immemorial.

    “You people wouldn’t allow us to have our name on the census form — that’s racism.”

    Amid angry scenes, one Asian member of the audience asked Mr Griffin where he would like him to be sent, and added: “You’d be surprised how many people would have a whip round to buy you and your supporters a ticket to go to the South Pole — that’s a colourless landscape, it’ll suit you fine.”

    Questioned over whether he believed that British people had suffered genocide at the hands of successive governments, Mr Griffin said: “That is the case. It’s about destroying a culture.”

    On the subject of homosexuality he said “a lot of people find the sight of two men kissing in public really creepy”. “That is how a lot of us feel, a lot of Christians, a lot of Muslims,” he said. “I don’t know why, that’s just the way it is.”

    Speaking after filming had finished, Mr Griffin claimed that he had been able to “land some punches” and acknowledged that his appearance would “polarise normal opinion” but expressed confidence that it would have an impact.

    “A huge swath of British people will remember some of the things I said and say to themselves they’ve never heard anyone on Question Time say that before,” he said. “Millions of people will think, ‘That man speaks what I feel.’ ”

    About one million people voted for the BNP at the European elections, leading to Mr Griffin taking up one of its two seats in the European Parliament. As a result, the BBC said impartiality rules effectively forced it to include the party in Question Time.

    Mark Thompson, the director-general, said the Government should ban the BNP if it felt that Mr Griffin should not have been allowed to take part in the broadcast.

    “If there is a case for censorship, it should be decided in Parliament,” he said. “Political censorship cannot be outsourced to the BBC or anyone else.”

    He said the BNP had “demonstrated a level of support that would normally lead to an occasional invitation to join the panel on Question Time”.

    Politicians from minor parties, including George Galloway, the Respect MP, and Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green party, regularly appeared on Question Time.

    Mr Thompson insisted that Mr Griffin had been invited so that the public could challenge his views, rather than any “misguided desire to be controversial”.

    Speaking before the programme, Gordon Brown said the BNP’s appearance was a matter for the BBC and that he was confident that Mr Griffin would be exposed for his “unacceptable” views.

    “I hope that the exposure of the BNP will make people see what they are really like,” the Prime Minister said.

    However, there were fears that Mr Griffin’s appearance would lead to an increase in support. He had said he was hopeful his party would be propelled into “the big time” as a result of the broadcast.

    The Telegraph