The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-06-19
SOCIALISTIC AND
CONSCIENTIOUS DIRECTORS

The announcement that 1000 So
cialists in Minneapolis and st. Pau
would confess judgment" to a con
spiracy to violate the draft law, calls
attention to the Socialistic objector as
distinguished from the religious con
scientious objector.
While the Socialist International
organization has long been on record
as opposed to what it called capital
istic war" it has not antagonized all
war, and the fact that it has favored
universal military training is indica-
tive Of a recognition of the doctrine
that war may be necessary. 1t may
be said that this means defensive war,
but in moral no less than in civil law
the principle that che who makes the
use of violence necessary is the first
offender" holds good, and a man in
his own defense may strike as we'll
as parry. So clearly has this been
recognized by Socialists abroad that
we find them serving in the French
armies on the soil of Alsace and Lor-
raine, Russian Socialists on Austrian
territory and Socialists from the cen
trail powers with invaders on the
ground of the allies, all on the theory
that their countries are defending
their rights.
In America alone, therefore, we
find the proposition that all war is
wrong put forth seriously by a large
element of the Socialistic party.
Should this principle be adopted by
that organization and be accepted by
it's members, we would find the So
cialists Of Germany fighting to de
prive this country of its rights and
liberties under international law,
while we would find the American
Socialists refusing to offset the work
of the German members of the inter
national organization or TO stand up
for the just cause of the United
States.
From every point of view, this at
titude contrasts most ~unfavorably
with that of members of religious
bodies like the Society of Friends that
refuse to participate in war on con-
scientious grounds. The Friends, or
Quakers. go on the principle of re
sist not evil by force" They hold
their opinions in season and out of
season, in good or i'll repute. They
have shown their willingness to suf-
fer punishment or even death for their
principles. 1t is sometimes said that
titg expect OlueIh TO llBlL LOT them,
but this is not true, as they prefer to
lose all their civil rights rather than
have anyone fight defensively for
such rights.
AS stated, the Friends have consist
emily maintained this theory under all
circumstances. They have not chang
ed their doctrines after their country
has gone into war. On the contrary,
they have refused to accept converts
since war was declared on the ground
that such alleged converts would
probably be actuated by personal
cowardice rather than by religious
zeal.
The Times holds no brief for the
Quaker. 1t believes that he is wrong
headed and that in some way, if not
by direct participation. he should be
made bear his share of the burden of
the war. But it at least credits him
with honest motives and with a con-
sistent adherence to his conscientious
principles.
But for those members of the So
cialist party who have changed their
stand since a state of actual war has
become existent through the aggres-
sions of Germany, no such excuse can
be logically urged. To abandon a