THE NON-MILITARY CAUSE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1198, 5 August 1911, Page 13

THE NON-MILITARY CAUSE.

Sir,—For reasons of his own, tlio editor of the "Evening Post" has declined to publish the appended letter, which gives tho one true reason why "militarism" is a crime. When I wrote tho letter, it was answered in tho form of all editorial, entitled "Kntionnl Defence," which editorial I can guarantee to pick io pieces, and answer effectively, in any public meeting. Ho complains of no now arguments. T am proud to say my argument is nearly nineteen hundred years old; and still as irrefutable as ever. Oil my writing a second time, his answer "Respectfully declined." Therefore I come to you, and ask you to publish it in full, in tho interests of the non-military cause:— I reached my twenty-first birthday on .Tune 17 last. Therefore 1 should havo registered, according to law, but I have not, and will not, and under are my reasons. I belong (o no religious sect. I am a Free-thinker; but, in his beautiful book, "The Law of Violence, and the Law of Love," Tolstoy has taught me tho true meaning of Christ's teaching, which is simply "lore thy fellow-man." This is (he supreme law of life, as is clearly explained in tho Epistles of St. John:

"Beloved, let us love ono another, for lore is nf God, mul everyone that loveth . is begotten c-f God, and knoweth God. He that lovcth not knowoth not God, for God is love. . . .No man hath beheld God -it any time: If wo lovo one another, God ! ahidcth in us. . . . We know that we havo I passed out of death into life, because we j love the brethren. He that loveth not ' ibidoth in death."—John iv, 7, 8, 12, iii, 14. The law of love, admits no exceptions, i.s is expressed in many parts of the Now Testament, but particularly clearly in tho ; Sermon on the Mount: "Ye havo heard | it said 'An eye for a.'i eye and a tooth | for a toot' (F.xod: xxi. 24); but T say unto you, 'Resist not him that is evil; i but whosoever suiiteth tliee on the right | cheek, turn to him the other also,'" and

foreseeing the exceptions which might appear necessary when applying the law ot love to life, Ho added, "And if any mau would go to law with thee, ami tako away thy coal;, let him have thy cloak also," showing that violence done to you is no justification for violence on your part. "Christianity (that is, the doctrine of the law of love) that permits violence occasionally, in obedience to other laws is a contradiction similar in nature to cold Qre or hot ice" (Tolstoy). I ciaim to be a Christian, therefore it is impossible for uio to train, with tho admitted intention of preparing to kill. Killing is murder always, oven at a five-mile range. No one is born with a desire to kill his fellows, tho desire to, kill being instilled into us. under the name of "patriotism." The Churches are directly responsible for this, for tho laws of the State, being founded on Church doctrines, must naturally follow tho perverted form of Christianity, admitting the necessity of occasional violence, given us by the Churches. Somo actually pray for victory over earthly enemies! Do they realise that such a prayer is an insult to the God of Love? •Similar words in our National Anthem are also an insult! But, crowning insult of all, that we should have to pay for our belief in Him, in the shape of a fine for non-registration! Therefore I say now, before the law finds me, that under no circumstanccs will I pay such a fine! Asking you, Sir, to publish this letter completo in His name, and in ratification of tho term "a free press," I am, etc., WILLIAM HOLDER. August 2. [We can seo no objection to publishing onr correspondent's views, which no doubt are sincere enough. We need hardly say, however, that we are in complete disagreement with him as to the obligations resting on citizens in the matter of national defence.]