This page has already been transcribed. You can find new pages to transcribe here.

Transcription

[Page 194]

2.

my letters you can leave out the "No 6 Section No 2 Platoon." Just "A" Coy. 3rd Batt. etc. will find me.

The other day when I was near the Abdin [also spelt Abdeen] Palace I went across to the Section's Infantry Barracks  €“ almost opposite the Palace  €“ and watched the native recruits being put through their paces. The poor fellows stand what white men would die rather than submit to. A sergeant or Corporal will hit them over the head or anywhere else with a baton if they do not execute the movements correctly. Strange to say after watching this barbaric method of instilling smartness into soldiers to be I saw a paragraph in the local paper stating that a Corporal kicked a recruit in the side and killed him on the spot. So far as I know nothing beyond a reprimand was meted out to the offending Corporal. Authorities say this is the only way to treat the natives. They have been oppressed for so many generations, that should kindness be shown them they would mistake it for a sign of weakness and commence to take advantage of the supposed weakness. Certainly when they are drilled properly they make a fine showing, and move like clockwork.

Current Status: 
Completed