Evening journal., 1917-03-27
An INTERPRETATIONS OF PACIFIsM.

m HE pacldsts have been singing pretty low ever
since the exposure OF Germanys treacherous offer
OF United States territory to Mexico II Mexico and
japan would join Germany in making war on this
country
But have had too much experience with the pacl-
fists during the past years Of their efforts TO make
the country helpless TO defend Itself not to expect
renewal of their Vaccinations whenever It seems TO
them that they do the most harm to the country.
It is open secret that, in connection with certain
other German sympathlzers, they organizing their
forces for a drive on Congress in effort to prevent
enactment Of preparedness legislation vital to the
try's safety.
The chief object Of their drive Is to kill any bill that
may be introduced providing for adequate military
preparation.
1t goes without saying this effort to hamstring the
nation will be entirely lacking in sincerity whoever the
may be who will lend their influence to It.
There a time not very long ago when we
inclined to the charitable view that some OF the
men and women who INDUCED in the childish prattle
which is the language Of paciasm sincere but mis-
guided.
Since it has become a matter OF knowledge
that the organization and direction OF paclhst propa-
ganda in this country is part Of the German Govern
ments plan to dope public sentiment it is difficult to
give many pachsts and groups OF pacnsts credit for
other than unpatriotc motives.
We quite agree with Congressman George r. Lunn the
former mayor Of Schenectady ~ Y, who says that
/
treason and cowardice masqueradng pacifsm which
threatens the nation"
Lunn, you probably know, is a Socialist who be-
cause Of his record Of his city elected to
Congress.
AS a leader Of the Socialist party, one would expect
that Lunn would be little inclined any form mill
tarism; but Lunn happens to be patriot well as
a Socialist
In the New York World Of March IS this Socialist
Congressman makes this searching analysis of the
psychology OF so-called pacihsm:
II might respect pacinst If I could find one. II
there is man who is relglously committed to non
resistance principle who would not defend himself
or his family accept defense when offered who
would not call the police provocation-if should
meet such man should say that had met a paci-
fist I am sure could respect his sincerity in oppos
ing national defense But when a man does all these
things and opposes national defense on theory which
should keep him from doing any Of them, know that
he is not paciast but fraud.
"Under the cloak pacasm the enemies Of our gov
ernment and the enemies Of all government are unit
ing in a conspiracy to leave nation unprotected
Think of a supporter OF Prussian mitarsm and whole
sale murder women and children on the high seas
using the appealing humanitaranism Of Tosto to win
! support"
Congressman Lunn Is an enthusiastic advocate or as
he expresses IT, the mobilization aud development of
all our resources and important OF all the human
element"
Listen TO this; "A democratic army could do much
| toward making country worth dying for This is
not Utopian; it is practical politics. army or
ganizaton that enabled to build the Panama
and turn fever stricken belt into health resort If
we TO have conscripon let have conscrption in
! peace well Let demand universal service
the universal price Of universal citizenship An
army enlisted from the ranks OF the jobless and un-
fortunate will never command respect matter how
worthy OF respect It is
"I want a citizen army that will make for citizen
ship, an army that will want my to join. be-
eve have army that parents generally Will
be proud to have their enlisted in Just as they
now proudly, Our boy is in Harvard they may
then be saying with equal pride, Our boy is in the
army of the United States.
This is not militarsm. Nlitarism IS government by
war machine It is the subiectlon the peoples in
terests to the rule Of army hate above every
thing else on earth and fight it with the most
forceful weapon that the people forge This would
be democratic citizen army, army OF the people
an army for the people army governed by the peo-
pie and devoted to the peoples interests"