Active Pacificism

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 218, 10 June 1933, Page 17

Active Pacificism

“in the present state of the world.” writes Mr. .1. A. Spender in the "NewsChronicle,” “I cannot imagine anyone but a real religious conscientious objector pledging himself in no circumstances to light. “If Hitler were to appear here to-morrow witli an army of Nazis and Steel Helmets, proposing to subdue our country and Hitlcrise our institutions, we should all of us tight. Not to do so would be like standing on the bank and seeing our mother drown.

“What does this lead up to? Not certainly to bellicosity or jingoism, but :i recognition of the fact, which perhaps is the most important fact for the world to-day. that peace can never be something merely negative and passive—something that can be ex-

■J, pressed in Hash resolutions—but must II have a foundation of justice ami equity i l ' for which all efforts are urgently needed. "Nothing is more important for the rising generation than that their thoughts should lie turned to tills active and dynamic side of the peace

moyeinent. "My plea is for pulling meaning and reality into Covenant: and Paet by vigilance ami effort all the time, which means for Hie younger generation constant study of ami interest iu the affairs of nations, instead of a mere affirmation that they will not in any circumstances do this or that. Otherwise. the supreme test may come, and in my mind's eye I see Hie young men using all the phrases which they want to ‘debunk’ —‘King and Country,’ ‘just cause.’ ‘defensive war'—and flocking to Hie standard, as in 11)11."