Challenges and defence

Canham offers his readers much detailed information about various political events in the 1920's and 30's, which, to the Australian reader today makes little impact. However, the underlying message is that the Monitor's job has always been to keep abreast of the times, keep its readers informed, and offer relevant commentary that would stand the test of time.

It is interesting that "as the end of the paper's first quarter century approached, friends both on and off the staff carried out a careful re-examination of its purposes and performance" (page 261). Thus was a "Fact Finding Committee" established by the Board of Directors, and we are told that it applied itself "with zeal" (page 265). Three practical steps were taken as a result of the assessment: (1) revitalization of the local editions, including additional staffing; (2) unnecessary restrictions were lifted, and resulted in the "restoration of an uninhibited capacity to tackle unsavory news" (page 266); (3) a weekly magazine was established at the urging of a group of British readers, including Lord Lothian and the Viscount and Viscountess Astor.

I wonder if the description of an extraordinary newspaperman such as Richard (Dick) L. Strout, would hold true today. Canham describes Strout as a craftsman whose writing was "well-trimmed, vividly descriptive, perceptive" (p. 281-282). His style is described as "independent and objective" as he "covers a story with clinical dispassion, writing with warmth and perception but without bias" (p. 282).

Page 287 reveals an interesting picture of Christian Science in Germany at the outset of World War Two. We are told that there were 64 churches or societies and 161 "not-yet-recognized groups". What follows is a very helpful assessment of the "background of defeat and national humiliation" that lay so heavily in the thought of many German citizens at this time, and the revelation that their "letters, telegrams, and personal visits hammered at Boston's doors during the 1930's", all of which "recommended that the Monitor should blunt and muffle its criticisms of Hitler" (p. 290). By 1941, Christian Science was banned in Germany. Churches and reading rooms were closed. Books were confiscated. Members were arrested and persecuted.

World thought was swirling and roiling as the Monitor published a May 1940 "Editorial Letter" in response to an outpouring of emotion from readers. The letter said: "Some of you have written that you do not feel a newspaper founded out of a great love for all humanity should 'take sides' in the conflict. However, it is that very love for humanity which compels this newspaper to take sides, not against any nation or group of nations in and of themselves, but against the evils which are attempting to destroy the very basis of civilization" (p. 294-5). Indeed, the editorial pointed out the attempt to destroy Christianity itself. Thus, arms must be taken up to defend against this evil.

And so to coverage of the war itself where correspondents were encouraged always to seek the long-range view, while of course reporting first-hand events in an illuminating and pleasing manner. Reading about this period provides a fascinating lens through which to view the challenges of our own times.

Julie Swannell