We have a visitor in Manchester. He is staying in Albert Square, between the stone figures of John Bright and Bishop Fraser, and hopes to spend a profitable week in this city.
The sight of that squat brown guest of ours cannot fail to bring thoughts of the whole family of tanks which, far from being feted in an English town, are ploughing their way over the desolate fields of France. Our thoughts go out to the soldiers who are trudging after them. To many thousands of these men the thought of this new recruit to warfare settled comfortably on the flags of our Square will bring very vivid thoughts of home. They will remember the times they waited for cars in that very place, or put their watches right by the Town Hall clock. They will recollect all at once that the bells used to play ╥Robin Adair╙ or ╥The Minstrel Boy╙ each day at one o╒clock. And probably they will wonder if the symbol of conflict in those familiar surroundings is reminding us at home of the men to whom a tank means something more sinister than a sound bank. By our contributions this week, while our guest is with us and the Fund for the Lancashire and Cheshire battalions at the front is still open, we can prove our thoughts for them.
Contributors are asked carefully to note that:-
All contributions, whether of articles or money, should be sent to the ╥Manchester Guardian╙ offices, 3, Cross Street, Manchester.
Payment should be made by cheques or postal orders, which should be made payable to the ╥Manchester Guardian,╙ Limited, and crossed.
The name and address of the sender and the character of the articles within should be marked on the outside of each parcel.
