THE CALL TO ARMS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15279, 15 May 1915, Page 11

THE CALL TO ARMS.

io ihk editor or "the pres*." Sir—Tho call to arms ba s been responded to by many lino young men „_o aro taking their .part nobly tn the defence of their Empire and Kins - Tne parents, especially tho mothers of these 'Une men. are ako fighting their battles at homo, because it is a great battle for any mother to be ever watching and waiting. Those who are dome this are not mado of wood, or cold like an iceberg Indeed, some are frail in body, but strong in spirit, and while .their hearts are ever racked thinking ?-bf their loved ones in. the finng-lme, and burning for news yet they would fat Have it otherwise. How different all ihoso women who have no sons,-** the .front—women who can't let their •Jimmy out of his warm bed. They have no sorrows, nor have they made any sacrifice, nor have they any joy or pride nor do they feel they have done ri-ht! Our Fleet ha s saved their tomes, and possibly their bodies from violation, yet they lack the spirit, the grit to lot their sons go forth. And the sons and fathers—what ot tlicm? Some are ever crying for the State to do all things, and are continually howling against militarism, yet t'tev fail to aid the State in our crisis, and make no attempt to assist m putiiivu down the greatest curse of militarism the world has known. Others excuse themselves by quoting the corninaiidment. "ThoU shalt do no murder." but won't assist to stop murder iM.fl every other horror that is being cniiiiiiittocl to their flesh and blood. Then thero- is the conceited man and •, '.woman, who, in excuse for not favouriing the call to arms, quote the Prince of Peace. Well might the Prince of I'occc exclaim: "Save mc from my friends!" It- would •go hard, indeed, with both Socialism and Christianity if tho patrons of both were of the type I havo indicated, but fortunately for both, aud for the world, the ranks of out* soldiers includo men of all "isms," whose horror of bloodshed and wastage is second to none, but those some of duty i s greater than their individual "ism," and who bolieve that it is the correct and only thing to share in the sacrifice that is being wade.—Yours, etc., ZEALANDIA. ' May 14th.