BRITAIN AND THE LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21578, 14 September 1935, Page 22

BRITAIN AND THE LEAGUE

TO THE BDITOB 0» TUB PM3S. Sir,—News in "The Press" to-day declares "Great Britain's determined stand and unswerving fidelity to the League of Nations" principles in opposing Italy's bullying and warlike attitude to Abyssinia. Even England's most carping critics residing within the Empire and enjoying so many privileges of liberty of speech and action must admit, even if they are too ungenerous to admire and applaud, her determined stand for the rights of the weaker and bullied nation. There are, I expect, many readers of "The Press," who, like myself, after reading addresses and letters by the "No More War" advocates and of those backing tip the conscientious objectors are now becoming very curious to know how they regard this firm stand and what it implies. If they disapprove because strong action against a nation bent on war in a distant part ot the world may involve the country in which they live, and even lead to a call upon themselves as individuals to take up their share in upholding the right, then what in the name of manhood are they? Worms? Why, even a worm will turn. Christians? "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it," says Christ, and a righteous cause is Christ's cause. If they approve—and one can hardly imagine any but the most debased, pleasure loving and effeminate of mankind disapproving—how far are they willing to allow their approval to take them? Sir Samuel Hoare plainly intimates that Great Britain was ready to take her share in collective action against Italy, and declares: "If risks for peace are to be run they must be run by aIL" How does that affect the soul of the conscientious objector? It must be very embarrassing to those who have all along been looking at the risks for peace from a more or less academic

point of view, laey are now brought face to face' with reality. Are they prepared to back up the League of Nations with more than pious resolutions and offer personal service if called on? Will some representative fc- the "No More War Movement" and also one for the conscientious objectors come forward and boldly state their approval or disapproval of Great Britain's stand. They may be sure many thousands of readers of "The Press" will now be waiting for an answer or else take silence as finding them on the horns of a dilemma and afraid to commit themselves. —Yours, etc., CURIOUS. September 12, 1935.