LET THE YOUNG MEN GO FIRST

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22800, 28 August 1939, Page 5

LET THE YOUNG MEN GO FIRST

TO THE EDITOR 0» THE PRESS. Sir,—Thank you for the opportunity of adding a few remarks to my previous letter. I would point out that with the exception of the few opening words. “M.L.E.” has carefully evaded all reference to the subject at issue, viz., that men who refuse to be conscripted are, therefore, fools or traitors. The wrongs of totalitarianism, the responsibility of'pacifists for the Far Eastern crisis, and the non-interven-tion fiasco, have absolutely nothing to do with forcing young men into the ranks of the army. The Society of Friends has put the whole matter in a nutshell; “The compulsion of men to learn how to destroy their fellow men is an assumption by the State of an authority over human personality that is an outrage upon God and man.” (Epistle May 8, 1939 • It is fundamentally a moral question. and the man who believes war to be wrong is neither a fool nor a traitor in declining participation therein. He would be both a fool and a traitor were he to ignore the dictates of his conscience in what he believes to be his duty to God. The Christians of the first two centuries suffered for their refusal to join the Roman armies. Perhaps “M.L.E.” ,is not aware conscientious objection to conscription is recognised by the Military Training Act now in operation in England! Liberty in this direction is the essence of democracyr'May I add that Sir lan Hamilton was asked by Viscount Haldane “to consider how far, if at all, compulsory military service could be applied to our Imperial system,” and his findings are contained in his book “Compulsory Service.’’ Of the German conscript System he says: “He may watch it turning out seal-patterned citizens by the hundredthousand; backs straightened, chests broadened, clean, obedient, ifunctual, but, on the other hand weakened m their individual initiative. Yes, (inscription is a tremendous leveller. The proud are humbled; the poor-spirited are strengthened; the national ideal is fostered; the interplay of varying ideals is sacrificed. Good or bad, black or white, all are chucked indifferently into the mill and emerge therefrom no longer black or white, but a drab, uniform khaki.” . And because our young men reject this Fascist institution they are to be classed as fools or traitors! The people will be the judges.—Yours, etc., C. R. N. MACKIE. August 25, 1939.

TO THE EDXTOB OT THE PRESS.. Sir, —I will confine my reply to “M.L.E.” who writes of the privilege of freedom of thought and speech enjoyed by what he calls our democratic society. Now, it was been said that the first casualties in war are truth, freedom, and invididuality; and he chides our young men because they refuse to train for the annihilation of these blessings. The first shot in .war places all under military dictators as severely in one country as another. All become infected with the war fever and no one is allowed to suggest a remedy. War gives nothing and saves nothing of worth. Sir lan Hamilton, in his discourse at an Anzac parade, said these words: “With all these piles of dead and these rivers of blood the war did not an atom of gpod.” If “M.L.E.” would read the Penguin book, “Between Two Wars,” he would there learn of the degrading chicanery, lies, deceit, and devilry used to carry on the “cleansing fire,” as war has been described by so-called patriots of all countries. Ninety-nine per cent, of our young men are eager and- ambitious to help to lead their country to higher ideals, thereby to win the gratitude and esteem of their fellows; but what reward does war offer them? The lessons of past wars are horrors to contemplate. Youth to-day places war and militarism in its proper place, the limbo of the past, to be classed with the ages of fear, superstition, and ignorance.

“M.L.E.” tries to frighten pacifists by pointing out that no one is immune from the deadly devastation of bombs. What more do we need to show the futility of wars to settle disputes? Children, cripples, and old people are all victims. Cathedrals and slums suffer the same fate. Prayers are useless.—Yours, etc..

, H.W.R. August 27, 1939. [This correspondence is now closed. —Ed. “The Press.”]