126
The Ypres Times.
did not understand he said there was no officer of that name in his company or battalion.
Captain Hartley said Mr. Claw was a civilian. The Lieutenent asked "What the a
civilian was doing up there Captain Hartley replied it was Mr. Barnard Claw. The
Lieutenant then laughed." Captain Hartley thereupon went in and looked around
himselfbut could find no trace of Mr. Claw or anyone who had seen him. There was
great confusion and a wall had collapsed. The Captain wished to go along K trench,
but was told that it was now under direct observation and would be dangerous. He had
better go back and interrogate the Munster people. He agreed and took the two other
eminent neutrals back to Landrelet. At Battalion headquarters they could not tell him
where the Munster rest billets were. He therefore telephoned to Corps Headquarters
Barnard Claw, official visitor, missing. Rested at Moussy-le-Bac O.P., which was
shelled at 11.33. If he is with you please detain. Will report personally after further
enquiries."
C. W. Hartley, Capt., Conducting Officer.
At Divisional Headquarters Capt Hartley heard nothing and could not even ascertain
location of the rest billets of Munsters. He however accepted an invitation to lunch
with the two neutrals and reported to Army Headquarters, Intelligence branch
"Barnard Claw missing. Taken up to Moussy-le-Bac (K.7.e). While there heavy
shelling at 11.33. Probably returned with [Munsters, who were being relieved, but
cannot trace. Am enquiring Munsters. Informed Advanced G.H.Q."
C. W. Hartley, Capt., Conducting Officer.
During luncheon Captain Hartley received a reply to his message to Corps
Headquarters.
Reference Barnard Claw. Is it the anti-War Socialist playwright
D.A.A.G., Xth Corps.
Yes. Barnard Claw, distinguished playwright and publicist. Disappeared
during relief of Munsters (K.7. e) about 11.35 a.m., when heavy shelling took place."
The answer came
Report personally to Corps. No Munsters at K.7. 3. No Munsters in Corps. No
shelling reported this morning."
IV.
[EXTRACTS from Narrative of Events supplied, 13.2.17, by Mr. Barnard Claw to Rt. Hon.
C. F. Westerman, M.P., Department of Information.]
I recollect five men and two officers in the cellar. One of the officers said to me,
Well, what do you think of it, Mr. Claw
I told him that the thing that had struck me most was the ignominy to which intelligent
men like himself were subjected. I asked him if he was satisfied with the way the war
was going. He laughed and observed that luckily they had no choice in the matter
theirs not to reason whytheirs but to do or die." That, I said, is the tragedy, the
ignominy of the situation. What are you, as an Irishman, doing in this galley What
is to be your reward and that of your fine fellows What are you going to get out
of England Faith," he exclaimed. Now, there's an idea Turning to the
soldier, he said Boys, what are you and I getting out of the war Here is Mr. Barnard
Clawan Irish patriot, whose name you know is a household word." Just then there
was a terrifying explosion on the other side of the wall. Being myself a sedentary literary
civilian and constitutionally timid, I confess I was rather alarmed. But these men only
laughed, so hardened had they come to the near presence of death. One of them said he
guessed the Boche had the wind up. Perhaps they know you're here, Mr. Claw, and
it's only a little complimentaryfireworks, after all." Another stupefying explosion
came and I remember smiling and forcing myself to say, "Is it bloody likely After
a third crash, very close to us, the younger of the two officers offered me a drink.
Although a regular abstainer from alcohol, I am not the one to push scruples to excess.
I accepted the offer.
