VEGETARIANISM AND PEACE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20956, 9 September 1933, Page 19

VEGETARIANISM AND PEACE

TO THE KUlTOtt OF THE PEE3S Sir, —Here in crude figures is the toll of life exacted in the slaughter-yards of Chicago in 1931: Cattle and calves, 1,990,479; sheep and lambs, 2,979,494; pig!?, 6,(554,903. Total value in money: 500,000,000 dollars. Most of us regard these figures with indifference; we lack sufficient imagination, i.e. the power to see things as they really are, to feel ourselves into this murderous exploitation of eleven millions of our kith and kin. "Custom," as the old Greek proverb had it, "is lord of all," Wo are so usqd to regarding forms of life, other than human as simply existing for man's particular benefit that there is very little chance of any more humane ideas penetrating the closed circle of our mental horizon. If only the meat-packers could do their work more efficiently. I am persuaded that many of us would see the thing in a different light. We are told, for example, that they (the packers) use everything of the pig "except the squeal." If only that dying squeal could be canned on a gramophone record to be played while the rest of the pig was being eaten, would we still be so keen on pork? I think not. Our educational system is woefully at fault in this matter. Should not all children be taken at least once to the slaughter-house, so that they may see just how the meat they daily eat is obtained? Then, knowing the facts by the evidence of their own eyes, adults would be without the present excuse of ignorance. . Pacifists especially should be interested in vegetarianism. And this for three reasons. Man's attitude towards the "lower" animals offers further scope for the application of the principle of non-violence. Second, the planning how to live with the least possible exploitation of other living forms offers an excellent field for the practice of sell-government. At the same time, the love-principle, following which, man, as we know, best finds salvation from all his ills, obtains a fresh- avenue of expression. Non-vio-lence, self-government, love—all these seem to be specially fostered by the vegetarian way of life. By consciously extending outwardly the realm of peace vegetarians unconsciously, as individuals, acquire that real happiness which is the fruit of inward peace. The true pacifist is not only at peace with all other men, but with all other forms of life and finally with himself.—Yours, etc N. Mrf BELL. September 8, 1933.