MARGINAL COMMENTS
By ROSE MACAULAY
WHAT does one do when challenged ? Merely chal- lenged at large, I mean ; not to a specific contest or game, or to prove an assertion. I have often wondered, when I have seen such phraSes as " a challenge to youth," or " a challenge to the churches," how youth and the churches, should they desire to take up these challenges, would do so. And now Sir Oswald Mosley has been issuing a challenge to " Jewish interests in this country," com- manding commerce, the Press, the cinema, the City of London and the sweat-shops. And the question arises— what are the Jewish interests thus referred to to do about it ? To what contest of daring or of skill are they bidden ? To single combat with our British Fascist leader, or to a more multifarious warfare against the Gentile interests commanding " similar activities to their own ? Is S:r Oswald proposing a pitched battle, in which the houses of Rothschild and Montagu should head a charge against those (say) of Coutts and Glyn Mills ? Shall the noble army of the Gentile Press Lords march out, terrible with banners, against the few Hebrew newspaper owners ? Shall there be war in the provision world between Messrs. Lyons for Israel and Messrs. Fleming and the A.B.C. for Gentiledom ? In the cinema industry between Mr. Isidore Ostrer and Mr. Alfred Hitchcock (with the ranks 'of Elstree and Hollywood in somewhat confused formation behind them) ? And in the emporial world between the establishments of Messrs. John Tanner and Bob and those of Messrs. Isaac Shekel and McBawbee ? Industry has, so one has heard, already its wars. But commercial em- battlement along lines of race would be a new grouping of combatants. Sir Oswald says that he and his comrades- at-arms, the " Fascist movement of the modern age," are not intimidated by Jewish interests. Indeed, they need not be so, since the big battalions are, in nearly all the spheres to which he made allusion, on the Gentile side. He is, very naturally and humanly, challenging the smaller side ; a noticeable tendency of " the Fascist movement of the modern age " in all countries.
But can I be misinterpreting this challenge ? Was Sir Oswald perhaps using the word in its sense of reprove, accuse, calumniate, or take exception to Or in yet another sense, that of the giving cry of hounds who sniff the scent of the creature they pursue? On the whole; this last meaning seems apt, and one can well picture the Fascist pack, black-chested, baying up the wind. • However, supposing that a challenge to combat was intended, let me remind the challenger of a classic formula for politely conveying such an invitation. As Sir Lucius bade, " Do the thing decently, and like a Christian. Begin now—Sir—To prevent the confusion that might arise from our both addressing the same lady " (in this case sub- stitute interests)" I shall expect the honour- of your company to settle our pretensions in King's Mead Fields. . . . This," Sir Lucius explained, " will put a stop at once to all confusion or misunderstanding that might arise between you. . . . Take my advice, and you'll decide it this evening if you can ; then let the worst come of it, 'twill be off your mind tomorrow. But remember now, when you meet your antagonist, do everything in a mild and agreeable manner. Let your courage be as keen, but at the same time as polished as your sword." And mind, no knuckle-dusters, I fancy Sir Lucius would add today-.
It will, anyhow, be interesting to see what is the challenger's next step in the matter, should his present overture be ignored. Were I a " Jewish interest " I should reply by challenging Sir Oswald Mosley, and thus get a little instruction in the reception of challenges.
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