CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Evening Star, Issue 24016, 15 October 1941, Page 5

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

TO TflE EDITOR. \ Sir, —Tho R.S.A. recommends that alternative service for conscientious objectors be at a rate not greater than that of the private soldier. 1 consider that the position of a private soldier, with free clothing, free board, free medical and dental services, without the necessity of taking up arms, is a highly-desirable existence. The other remits, however, propose particularly savage penalties for tho objector, including deprivation of that most sacred possession of the British citizen, his civil rights. Surely it is the height of inconsistency to pander to the objector in one direction and to inflict inhuman punishment and degradation on him in another. Further, in descending to such depths, the R.S.A. executive shows its incompetence, its bigoted outlook, and its lack of Christian feeling. It shows, moreover, that, so far from learning their lesson from the last war, the members have the same attitude of mind which is responsible for this war, and will be, responsible for future wars unless it is eradicated. The penalties which the R.S.A. would impose on tho unfortunate objector are nothing more nor less than those inflicted by Hitler on the Jews, and by Stalin on the Christians. It is simply one of those festering centres of corruption which is a symptom of Fascism. Let the R.S.A. consider its position and the views of the majority of its members — or rather, the views of all returned soldiers—before it secs fit to assume the cloak of the Gestapo or Ogpu. With its eyes open the R.S.A. can fulfil an extraordinarily useful function. Its members are no doubt aware of tho treatment they received from grateful Governments in the years from 1919 onwards. Unless public opinion is aroused, the same happenings will occur, and tho same treatment will be meted out to the men returning from this struggle. The R.S.A. can close its eyes to such petty and ignoble squabbles as now take up its attention. Let the association exert itself to ensure that those of us who return will receive a fair deal.—l am, etc., Puma Swaraj. October 14.