Evening star., 1923-03-04
Fears Lest Hatred of War May
Make u. S. lmpotent for Defense

criticize his conduct brought about
by his conscience. but I fear that
civil government would soon fall
into disorder II half the world be-
lieved as he did and the other half
believed and behaved as did the
man that stole his farm. 1t Is a
difficult problem and ! can see no
solution to 1t unless the world be
regenerated or those who believe
In the doctrine Of resistance
shall voluntarily expatriate them
selves. Until then. most of US will
Quaker who pulled off his coat
when confronted by a bully and
threw 1t on the ground, saying,
Lay there, Quaker, It'll 1 lick this
man."
find myself wondering how this
view that young men should be
schooled in a refusal to fight OBJ
tained it's start. Is 1t an American
view exclusively or is 1t interna-
tional in its character? Can it be
that It found it's origin in the SEN
timents avowed by many good
women? 1t Is a fact, though per-
haps not common knowledge,
that when the International Wom-
ems Council met in Zurich in May.
1919, the women there assembled
solemnly swore a vow never to
support any war by direct or in
direct help. A great international
strike OF women against war was
unanimously agreed upon. Since
then many women have been writ
ing to the effect that no cause JUS
titled the organized destruction OF
human lives. They have advised
pledges of passive resistance to
war on preparation for war; urged
members of their sex to speak and
write and vote against war; to
serve notice upon the men that If
they go to war they go without
women and to notify congresses
and parliaments, I'VE will not give
you our children, nurse your SOL
diers, knit your socks. roll a BAN
dage. drive a truck or buy bond"
In the city of Washington in this
year a pledge was adopted as fol-
lows, "In case my country is at
war. will not work for the Red
Cross nor make hospital supplies;
I will not urge food conservation:
I will not buy liberty bonds or
any similar war loans: l VIII not
make munitions: I will not take
a mans place in order to let him
go TO war"
how many woman minds in Amer
lea this sentiment has found an
abiding place. 1t would be mere
guess also, as to how many women
would keep such a pledge In an
emergency This anti-war preach-
ment may be reaching many or
few women; it may or may not be
establishing a permanent impress
upon their conduct. ] cannot af-
firm or deny that IL is responsible
for the talk with reference to nom
resistance on the part of the youth
of the nation But il needs a
watchful eye in every community
in America Europe is still spend
ing money for armies and navies.
Let US pray and plead for peace
deal unjustly. Let us establish
such a high standard OF national
conduct that we can well afford
most Of the time to be too proud
to fight. Let us maintain our
idea that we do not want to fight.
But until the gospel swayS more
men than have yet come under its
benign influence let US not indi-
cate that barbarians may seize our
civilization, destroy our govern
ment and reduce our people with
out a blow being struck Let the
government, the colleges uniSer-
sites and high schools OF America
be training camps for officers. Let
our young men be warned of the
awful horrors of a military system.
Let them be taught to hate war
and to loathe il. But let them
also be taught not TO fear 1t in a
lust and righteous cause
would not urge lit is a sweet
and proper thing TO die for ones
country for under some circum-
stances il is disgrace to die
even for your country. but there
may arise among "A peaceful and
peace-loving people an occasion
in which the most disgra ceful
thing is TO live We can ac-
complish what the women of the
nation wish by high-minded con-
duct at home and abroad. But we
cannot accomplish this by unjust
conduct in relation to the world,
coupled with the doctrine that un-
der no circumstances will we fight.
Yes, let us have peace but let us
keep an eye peeled in every com
munity for those who would have
~ with dishonor.
Copyright. 1873. by Thomas X. MsrshaIl.l