Year: 1875

Such actions-and, Fred, they've got our


tree!"


-Scri6ner for June.
THE BRITISH SAILOR REVOLT OF


1897.


An Interesting Historical Reminis-


cence.


SOME historian has told us that
when Peter the Great of Russia paid
his visit to King Christian Of Den
mark he was invited by the Dane
to one of his castles which stood on
the brink of deep, wild gorge, into
which it was impossible to look without
shudder. While the monarchs were
standing on the battlements overlooking
the chasm, the conversation turned upon
the systems of government they repre-
sented and the power they respectively
welded. Finally the Car asked the
Danish monarch if he would like to have
an illustration of the unquestioning obe-
dience he exacted from his subjects, and
was told that the illustration would not
be unwelcome. Thereupon the Czar
called to his side an officer attached to
his suite, pointed over the battlement
into the terrible gulf below, and said:
"Jump!" The officer turned pale, looked
wonderingly up at his sovereign, who
only waved his hand and repeated, in a
more imperious tone: "Jump! sir, jumpp
ha
man sprang from the wall and was
dashed to pieces on the rocks below.


This incident is used by the San Fran
cisco Chronicle as prefece to the nara
tive of bold British mutiny which hap
pened some time ago. The Chronicle
says: Happily the time is passed when
subjects are called upon to attest their
fidelity by such sacrifices as this of the
Russian officer; yet in the military and
naval service of all civilized powers there
is exacted almost as servile a compliance
with authority, and almost as much self
abnegation, as the faithful but unfortu-
nate attendant of Russia's great monarch
exhibited; and in no service in the world
is this subordination more complete than
in the British army and navy. The En-
glish soldier has long been regarded as
mere machine, servile in obedience and
patient under injustice, meekly submit
ting to many wrongs without offering
even protest against the abuse of au-
thority. Consequently the history of the
British army and navy is wonderfully
barren of exciting revolts bloody mutt
nies, or troublesome insubordlnation.


A notable exception, however, is the
great mutiny in Admiral Buckner's fleet
in 1897, an event which filled the King
dom with CONSERVATION, threatened the
destruction of England's supremacy on
the sea and to overturn the whole fabric
of her naval power.


During the year 1896 and the early
part of 1897 the English sailors had been
petitioning Parliament for certain re-
forms in connection with the naval
service. The action of the authorities
had been tardy, and the petitioners lost
patience. The financial embarrassment
of the nation led to great Irregularities
of pay, and still further increased the
discomfort. Very little attention, how
ever, was paid to the threats of the in
dignant sailors, and it was thought that
the prompt punishment of the boldest
growlers would quell the growing dis
content. However, one fine day in May,
1897, the British nation was startled by
a report that Admiral Buckner's fleet off
the More had mutinied, and that twenty
five ships-of-war were in full possession
of the mutineers. The movement was
so sudden, and success so complete, that
for time the Government was complete
ly paralyzed. There was no force at
hand sufficient to quell the revolt, and
for several days not even show of re-
sistance was attempted.


Meanwhile the mutineers grew bolder,
and proceeded to perfect their organiza-
tion. For the proper government of the
captured fleet congress was formed
composed of two delegates from each
man. of-war and one from each gunboat.
The affairs of each vessel were controlled
by committee of twelve, chosen by
the crew. The congress selected a young
sailor from Admiral Buckner's flagship,
the Sandwich, for President, and then
drew up an address to the Government,
which the deposed Admiral agreed to
transmit to the British Admiralty. This
document set forth that the petitioners
were not disloyal, but acknowledged
then, as ever, their allegiance to the
King; that their attitude of apparent
hostility was only an earnest effort on
their part to obtain justice, which being
granted they would instantly return to
duty, and His Majesty would have no
more loyal or faithful subjects. The re-
forms they asked were as follows:
.Fwst-An increase of pay and an in
crease of rations, both of which they
claimed to be inadequate.


Second-A more equal division of prize
money, giving the common sailor rea-
sonable share of the spoils of war.
Third-A speedy adjustment Of all ar.
rears and more prompt payments in tne
| future.


Fourth-Liberty to go more frequently
on shore when not on duty, and less petty
tyranny on shipboard.


This paper was laid before the British
Admiralty, and brief note sent in reply
stating that no intercourse whatever
would be held with them SO long as they
maintained their present insurgent atti
tude, and that unconditional submission
must precede negotiations. 9


While all this was transpiring the feet
Hay off Sheerness, and the crews were
daily on shore, where they paraded with
much show and stirring music, carrying
5 red flag, the usual hue OF insubordina
tion. On the sad Of May, however,