Evening star., 1942-03-31
Ayres Lays Refusal
To Bear Arms 10
Profound Thinking
Actor Says Role in
War Film Probably
Influenced Decision
Early Story on Page A-7.)
NJ thA a sSnria Tod pvAKs

Dy the Associated Press.
SACRAMENTO, Calf, March 81.
1T was profound thinking" which
led Lew Ayres into a camp for con-
scientious objectors, the Hollywood
movie actor said today as he break
tasted on his train en- route to q
labor camp near Wyeth, Greg.
The star in "An Quiet on the
Western Front" Ayres said he had
offered to do 'noncombatant serv-
ice" In the Army, but had insur-
mountable scruples against joining
any fighting branch.
II was willing and wanted to 60
in the Medical Corps" he said. Il
told the draft board that and I said
it several times and In the many
papers which I filled out.
MY training In frst Aid qualified
me for the medical service. At least
l could have been of some useful
assistance.
However, they wouldn't take me,
50 I applied for admission to the
conscientious objectors camp and
they granted my request. am
happy about It,"
Proud Of Stand Taken.
Ayres, clad In white pajamas. was
indignant when asked II . state
ment released at Los Angeles had
been prepared for him by his studio
II wrote 1t myself" he said. you
can use 1t under my by-line II you
want to. I'm not ashamed of the
position I have taken"
1t began: 1T was In early child
hood that I was first introduced to
the Christian creed OF non-re-
sistance to evil 1t Is vague and
nebulous doctrine to the United
States and 1t has taken years OF
gradual realization and patience for
me to understand the full signifi-
canoe of its world healing possibih-
ties.
To-day, I stand convinced that As
like attracts like. hate generates
hate. murder incites revenge, 50
charity and forgiveness reflect their
kind. and the worlds brotherhood
will be made manifest not through
economic expediences. but through
mans awakening to the irresistible
power of love"
Influenced BY Role.
Asked II his role in All Quiet on
the Western Front" influenced him
toward his anti-war philosophy. he
said:
Yes. I guess it did. I'm quite sure
1t did"
What year was that picture re-
lessed?"
Il don't remember"
Author Erich Maria RemarQue,
who wrote "All Quiet" said today
at Beverly Hills:
Il am very sorry. didn't ex-
pect it TO have an effect like this.
think we all should fight against
HitleriSm"
Ayres refused to interpret para
graphs in his formal statement. To
do so. he said, would only be a
momentary consideration of a pro-
found subject"
Paragraphs included:
If I have learned one thing from
my philosophical and theological
studies. one issue upon which nearly
all the most venerable of our teach-
ers and sages have agreed, 1t is thai
mans troubles are the result Of
himself That is. the selfish emo
tions and passions within himself. !:
Must Act Alone.
And any emancipation from these
conditions must be accomplished for
himself-by himself. Individually
and alone. Maybe collectively later,
but first as man and then as man
kind. Surely it is only childish
dreaming that makes us hope we
can come to live in Utopia without
first becoming inward Utopians.
Now let us consider war. Is 1t
not strange that no one really
wants war. yet few think life can
be successfully or. at least respect
fully. lived without 1t? We all shake
our heads sadly over our predica-
ment. and then weit for the other
fellow to stop first So in my
opinion, we will never stop wars
until we individually cease fighting
them, and that's what I propose to
do"
And I propose to proclaim
moratorium on all presumed debts
of evil done us, to start afresh by
wiping the slate clean. and con-
tinuing to wipe it clean To hold
no malice and so seek no revenge.
to set our hearts in the right di-
rection-and have confidence in
Gods beneficent wisdom TO help US
work out details"