Wilson on Interference and Buggery

Introduction from Chronology

Writing to the British military attaché in Paris, the CIGS of the British Army, Henry Wilson, makes the following quite remarkable statement “the habit of interfering in other people’s business, and making what is euphoniously called “peace” is like “buggery”: once you take to it you cannot stop”.

Comment

Just in case there is any doubt as to what Wilson was referring, Jeffrey (in a footnote) draws attention to the fact that the word “hinder” appeared before “buggery” in the original but was crossed out. (As Jeffrey notes it was a supererogatory qualification.) Also, one cannot help but wonder how Wilson came to believe that buggery was addictive?

Wilson definitely believed in interfering in Irish affairs – see, for example, Jul-12-21/4.

(Perhaps Wilson meant euphemistically rather than euphoniously (but euphoniously works as well)?)

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