Sir A. Conan Doyle. Arrival in Brisbane
Sir A. Conan Doyle is an article published in The Telegraph (Brisbane) on 10 january 1921.
Sir A. Conan Doyle
Arrival in Brisbane.
Alleged Press Boycott.
Those "Presbyterian Prayers."
Although completely tired out after his long railway journey, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the noted novelist and spiritualist, readily granted an interview to a "Telegraph" reporter, who found him at his hotel, just after his arrival in Brisbane on Saturday evening.
With Sir Arthur was Lady Doyle, bright and chatty. Sir Arthur is a big man, with a pleasant manner, by no means unapproachable, and ready to answer, if possible, all questions. He has been studying spiritualism for over 30 years, and his experiences have already received wide publicity.
A CABLEGRAM CONFIRMED.
But it was not to get a repetition of his spiritualistic experiences that the newspaper man wished to see Sir Arthur. He wanted to question him regarding the cabled account of his article in the "International Psychic Gazette" — an article which in some quarters has caused something akin to a sensation. The cablegram, which appeared in Saturday's "Telegraph," read:—
- Sir A. Conan Doyle, writing to the "International Psychic Gazette," referring to his "ups and downs" in Australia, says:
"Amid the downs are the Press boycott caused partly by ignorant want of proportion and partly by moral cowardice, and a fear of finding later that they have backed the wrong horse, or given the wrongs horse fair play. They are very backward — far behind countries like Iceland and Denmark — in a knowledge of what is done in spiritualism. They are dear folk, these Australians, but, Lord, they want spirituality and dynamiting out of their grooves. Though the Presbyterians actually prayed that I might not reach the country (this was rather near murder if they really thought their rotten prayers would avail), the result was an excellent voyage. It is the want of liveliness and the spiritual deadness of this place which get on my nerves."
"Yes,"
said Sir Arthur, "I have read the article. I saw it in this morning's papers as I came along in the train."
"Is the report correct?"
"Certainiy. It is correct in every detail."
The reporter produced the cutting from the "Telegraph" containing the cablegram. Sir Arthur, after glancing hurriedly through it, remarked, "Yes, I wrote that."
PRAYERS AND BOYCOTT.
"Is it to be understood from that article that such prayers were offered up in all the Presbyterian churches?" queried the reporter.
"I understand,"
promptly replied Sir Arthur, "that the prayer was made at a Presbyterian assembly in Melbourne. A friend of mine was present at the meeting, so there can be no doubt about the fact."
Sir Arthur commenced to walk up and down the room. He suddenly halted in his stride, turned to the interviewer, and said: "You can say this. When I wrote that article home, I was writing of my Melbourne experience."
"THE PRESS BOYCOTT?"
"Yes, the Press boycott. The 'Argus' said that I was 'the emissary of the devil.' It said that before I reached Melbourne. When I reached Melbourne, an 'Argus' reporter came to my lecture, but he merely reported on the size of my spectacles and the colour of my wife's dress. He left out every word of my lecture. Afterwards, the 'Argus' allowed attacks to be made on my lectures without publishing any account of the lectures themselves. Well, all that I regard as against all ethics of fair journalism."
WHY HE WROTE THE ARTICLE.
"My article in the 'International Psychic Gazette,'" continued the novelist, "was really based on the treatment I received in Melbourne, Since my visit to Melbourne I have been to Sydney and New Zealand, and I found those places full of spiritualistic vitality."
"It was not the opposition I received in Melbourne that I was complaining of,"
added Sir Conan. "It was the spiritual deadness. You could not get the newspapers there to take an interest in spiritualism. I talk in that article about Iceland and Denmark being so far ahead of Australia in a knowledge of spiritualism. Why, in a small city like the capital of Iceland, 400 of the inhabitants belong to a Psychical Research Society, and the Bishop of Iceland is president of the society. In Denmark, the situation is somewhat similar. There is nothing like that in Melbourne. I, therefore, believe I was well within the mark when I said Iceland and Denmark were far ahead of Australia in these matters."
"Can you name the person who offered up the prayer you complain of?"
"I can get it for you,"
observed Sir Arthur, and he started to search his pockets as if for some record of the name. Then he seemed suddenly to change his mind, for he stopped his search, hesitated a while, and then remarked, "Oh, it doesn't matter now."
"CONSTRUCTIVE MURDER."
"Mind you,"
observed Sir Arthur, "I
am not so foolish as to say that man represented the general body of Presbyterians. But he was not rebuked. It was not pointed out to him that it was constructive murder, and also a complete want of charity."
Lady Doyle, who hitherto had been a silent witness of the interview, now put in a word. "He is a pretty poor representative of Christ," she said.
"But,"
remarked Sir Arthur, "I think
he was only a layman."
"Well," insisted Lady Doyle, "he is pretending to be a Christian."
Sir A. Conan and Lady Doyle were warmly welcomed by a large crowd of members of spiritualistic bodies on their arrival at the Central railway station. Lady Doyle was presented with a number of beautiful floral tributes.
