THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, MARCH 4,- 1916.
COMPULSORY SERVICE. {distinction and thought it wise to foundly that the soldier and the
THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR.
Interesting House of Commons
Debate.
he was in favour of exempting act upon it in the Bill they intro-military system belonged to them altogether. (Hear, best.) duced. Tha Government hera utata which had to be transcended.
Mr. Chaplin (Wimbledon, U) had practically introduced, as far They were werking for a state of regreted the Government ware as they conlil, the very methods socisty in which war would be unable to accept the amandmant, adopted in the Australian Acs in thing of the past. In obedience which had the marit of affording dealing with this subject. Is to what they believed to be the « guarantee against those who was very difficult, especially in law and the teaching of Christ might pretend to have conscienti- view of the feeling engendered they had to live up to their prin- og objections which they did not by German mathods, to under ciples and endeavour not to re really entertain. Mr. Trevelyan atand the point of view of those turn evil for evil, and even to (Yorks, W. Elland, L.) id During the discussion in the who said they would not take life love the enemy. They honestly the length to which the Gavern- House of Commors on the Military ander any conditions. But they believed they had to do their ofment were prepared to go was not Service (No. 2) Bill, on January, wat recognize that a good many most to bring those principles in o far enough. He presumed min- 19, Mr. Joyneon-Hicks (Brentford, of those who held that view had daily and international life, and listers of religion wors excepted La moved to omit the paragraph shown in this war, more than ever unless there were men who were because they were pacifiste which allowed exemption on the before, that they were not less prepared to stand out always for ministers of the religion of peace. ground of a conscientious ob- filled with patriotism, and that them they could not hope that There were many others who held jection to the undertaking of they were not cowarde. (Hear, society could ever reach that just as conscientionaly as soy and to sub- bear.) The Quaker organizations state at which they simed. He clergymen that they ought not to combatant service,' instate the following ground of had dones splendid service in con- would not object to the conscip-fight, and yet they were not to exemption That the applicant nexion with Red Cross work tion of all his worldly possessions are the right of escaping whils was on the fifteenth day of Au- throughout the war. He knew of (an Han, Member. What would a clergyman had the right whe gust, nineteen hundred and fit one case no doubt there were you do if a German took your ther he believed in his pacificiam fee, a member of the Society of many more where a maa hold-wife 2 m bebat he could not do not. They would not get there Friends or of any other recognised ing these conscientious objections, what he believed to be wrong. In people into the Army in any case igious body one of whose fand-while not willing to be put in Germany at the cutbreak of war and they might as well let them amental tenets is an objection to position where he would be forced men holding on religious grounds off effectively at once. all war." The boa, member said to take the life of others, had that it was wrong to fight had he did not wish to be offensive shows that he was perfectly ready been shot. That was the logical but this clause was really the to riek his own, and throughout outcome in a military State and if been enga,ad in hon. members took that view be slackers charter, and would the war had able any man who did not wish mine-sweeping, one of the most personally could not resist and fight, and who had cold feet dangerous operations. (Hear, should not resist as an individual. The State would make a perman- (laughter), to go to a tribunal and hear.)
eat advance if it recognized that say he should not be called on.io
there were men willing to do their fight because he was a conscienti-
duty as citizens, willing to lay ous objector. The conscientious objector sought to ablish the
down their lives if necessary, right of private judgment against
provided they could do it in fali the needs of the State. He main
obedience to the higher law. wined that the State had the righ:
There were ways of sacrifice even now open to them and which many had adopted. He did not want anything in the nature of compaleory alternative service
to make
A Government Concession.
..
or
Unconscientious Objectors."
Mr. E. Samuel agreed that the amendmest before the House was not one that could be accepted, It was a profound error to regard religion as necessarily a corporate thing. The Enest religion must He did not think there was re
always be individual, and it was ally much difference of opinion on
sbeard to say a man could mot this subject among the great balk
bave a conscience unless he be of the members of the House,
longed to a sect. (Hear, hear.) They all wished to be as conside.
He reminded the supporters of the supreme demand rate as they could to those who
the amendment that it was one apon every man whatever his really believed that it was a sin
thing to wish for the reign of cascientious objections might under any circumstances to take
universal peace and to work for be. Many of these men were So life, Bat they were equally de-
it, but quite another thing to act cialists who exalted the right aftermined that this belief should (Laughter.) Many of them had as if that reign were already bare. the State to be tha: dominsting not be used as a close to enable been working without compulsion (Cheers) The view of the mam- factor, and contended that in- shirkers to get rid of their respon- as unpaid volunteers upon work bar for the Elland Division. WAS dividuals had to submit to its sibility. (Hear, bear.) The which they would not be prepared that the Government ought to ac- requirements, but when it came to mover of the amendment said the to do under compulsion, which capt the word of any individual the matter of fighting they said clause was a charter for the shir- would take all the grace out of that he objected on the ground of "No" Was the conscience of the ker. It was pot that, hat it did their work. He suggested that conscience to take any part in the conscientious objectors geograph-enable him to put forward his work might be found for con
war; but he was afraid if that ical? If the German soldiers claim. To members who falt that scientious objectors in disagreview were accepted there would Government were really able and dangerous trades which, be a considerable number of un- were in this country, harrying, the murdering, and violating, would throwing away say substantial sizes the war, had been carried conscientious conscientious ob- they still maintain their objection? part of the man theolutely neces on by women. In that way they jectors. (Some cries of "Oh.") If they had been on the Lusitania sary, he would say that in the would liberate conscientious ab and when the German submarine
jectors from the feeling that they came along an English destroyer
were freeing men for military had been there, would they have
service. said that the destroyer, mast not attack the anbmarine a others and men? Why did not conscientious
Course."
Mr. Bonar Law recognized that from the logical point of view al most all his hon. friend's argu-
it citizens. Bat our one object
was to deal as effectively with the
War as we could, and the question
was not whether the State had a
In farther discussion Mr T. framing of the Bill, and in every
Healy (Cork, N.E., Nat.) saggen: discussion of it, the War Office,
ed that for the words "national either in the person of Lord KitĮ
importance " in the proposed Sir. B. Craik (Glasgow, and amendment "national interest" chener himself, or somebody re- presenting the feeling of the War Aberdeen Universities, U.) feared should be substitute. Persona Ofice, was always present to act that in the form in which the engaged in educational work were ess check on any tendency to Government concession was pro- entitled to every consideration, Carry compromise too far. posed to be made another loophole and the education of children was
would be afforded to the objector certainly a national interest.| who failed to establish the valid Lieutenant-Colonel ity of his objection. Tue propcaal (Devon, Thines, U.), who said he aroused a suspicion that the Bill had just returned from the front, was being unduly watered down-mentioned that he had seen 1 (Cheers.):
Quaker hospital established in the -shelled area in the suburbs. of
The Trench View.
other considerations. He regret
Mildmay
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fused in this hour of the country's Bill.
Workers at Bristol
The much-talked of Labour
military service, and with regard to the possibility of industrial conscription he was convinced that no form of words shaded immunity from danger.
There was a danger that the country would attempt the im- possible by trying to be a great naval Power, and a great indas- trial Power
They would, after the war, bs,
objectors carry their objection to its logical conclusion? How could they hold fighting to be a
So far as he could judge there sin and pay other men to do it were two main objects which those If that was their view they caght who were pressing the views of not to pay their taxes or shelter the conscientious objectors had in themselves behind the Army and mind. One was to make a simple Navy. He had been taught that declaration of conscientious ob- the receiver of stolen goods wjection sufficient. That would be worse than the thief. The con contrary to the whole spiri: and
Ypres, which was doing splendid scientions objector was the the whole object of the Bill, and
work, completely at variance with receiver of stolen goods. He paid under no circumstances could the Mr. Barnes (Glasgow, Black-o create a a man to commit sin on his behalf Government accept i. (Hear, friars, Lab.) said he wished with Sir S. Collins (Lambeth, Kenning and go all the benefit of it hear.) The other was to exclude all his heart that the matter could ton, L) described his experiences Holding these views, he never them, not only from the combat be settled on the high idealistic with a dozen conscientious ob- theless proposed a compromise ant force, but from any form of principles which the hon. member jectors who interviewed him in It was not always possible to press military service. The Govern- for West Leeds had enunciated. the lobby the previous night. views to their logical extrame; ment could not accept that either. The question mast be approached, They were strong healthy-looking and he was prepared to make a But the Government desired to however, from the human and
young fellows, and were prepared objection? The Government had BIG LABOUR CONFER- concession to conscientions ob give as much consideration and practical point of view. Visiting to be shot, to go to prison, or any-nos dared to enforce the Monitions
ENCE. jocton conscientions by religion se fair treatment to these views as France, he had found our men thing else rather than fight. They Act. If they bad the South Walee the needs of the State permitted. their grappling with grim real had a solemn conviction, and were miners would owe the Govera and not by desire to shirk.
Mr. Boner Law on "the Wise They proposed to accept, in a ities, living in their dug cute abd going to abide by it. He held no ment £5,000,000. If they were
modified form, an amendment on faced with a cruel and resourceful brief for them, hat he hoped that not careful they would have the Representatives" of 2,000,000| the paper in the names of the hon. foe and wrth grim natural ele the tribunals before whom they same opposition to this Bill members for Leeds and Hadders ments. Having seen those thinge appeared would meet them in a There were tons of thousands of field. It was to the effect that, in they figured in his mind above all
sympathetic manner. Sir P. men in” this country' who were ments were sound. He believed the case of an application on con-
Haguas (London University, U.) going to oppose the enforcement the State had an absolute right to scientions grounds, the certificate ted to return to an atmosphere said that he personally had a of the Bill to the utmost limit. He demand this service of any one of of exemption might take the form permeated with long drawn out conscientious objection to paying knew of one organisation with Party conference began on Janu-living in a diferent world, and it of exemption from combatan: wire-drawn dissertations 00 taxes to protect the life and pro- 10,000 members all of military ary 26 at Bristol. It had beer would be a hard and bad world duties only, "or may be condi- liberty.
Liberty for what? tional on the applicant being Liberty to weaken the State? Fasty of men who absolutely re-age and all pledged to oppose the described in advance as one of for labour anles labour took
the most critical in the history of band in the shaping of it. Extrav engaged in some work which in Liberty to desert one's friends need to support and to help it, Mr. Cowan (Aberdeenshire, Ethe movement because of the agance, waste, and luxury mast the opinion of the local tribunal sad champions? Is the circum- but his conscientious objection, L.) said if they accept the amend attitude the conference might be cat like cancer from the sa- in of national importance." He stances in which we were now he was afraid, would be of no ment they would make the Bill, take as to conscription.
placed he was not much concern arail with the tax collector, the Government, and the House Bat conscription is an accom Horror of Germany, of this concession was somewhat ad with such liberty. (Cheers.) (Laughter.) Mr. C. Craig (An upremely ridiculous. (Cheers) plished fact, so that any view the Mr James Sexton, of Liverpool, diminished by the fact that the We were fighting this war for a trim, S., U.) said that men at the The would have a repetition of delegates may air are purely ac on behalf of the National Unicu Government thought it was a large liberty, for the liberty of front would not have their ad- the "conscientious objections "ademic. The conference "re of Dock Labourers, moved a re- ready included in the Bill. It each which would be consistent miration for the Government in- under the Vaccination Acts, presents" 2,093,365 workers. showed, a: any rate, that from the with the liberty of all. (Cheere.) creased wish they saw what a where one man whom he asked
solution expressing the horror of The conference commenced by the conference at the atrocities first the Government had really The Bill did not ask those who ratten, matilated piece of com- why he objected to vaccination appointing Mr. W. C. Anderson, committed by Germany and her done everything they could, con had stayed behind and bad eb palsion this Bill was.
declared, "I do not know much, to the chair. Mr. W. Ally. He was opposed to militar stent with their duty to the State, tai ed increased wages to make to meet fairly the honest views of restitution. It merely asked them
about it, but my wife does not Hager, the Labour candidate for ism, bat he was out to win the like the child to keep her awake Bristol East, in welcoming war at all events. If Germany those who held this form of religi-to erand in and do their share
the conference, remarked that in won, nothing else on God's earth ous convicti n. (Eear, bear.)
at might." (Laughter.) under conditions of comparative
The Committee divided, and Bristol they had been tro mach mattered, comfort.
Mr. Outhwaith (Hanly, L) there voted ---- Referring to those wh; quite moved an amendment making a
occupied with other questions to Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, who Mr. T. E. Harvey (Leeds, W., apart from religious beliefs, might declaration on oath before two
37 engage in recruiting, and had no was received with spplante, L.) said conscientious objectors pat forward a ples of conscience justices the guarantee of the ex-
inclination to do so. Mr. Jolin appealed to the conference for 250 Hodge, MP, protested.
loresight and toleration. They do had always sotuated this were grateful to the Government because of their political and so istence of a conscientious objec 11. T. E. Harvey formally Mr. Anderson, in his presid-were too early and too late to country and other countries with for at least having recognized the cial views, Mr. Barnes said that
moved an amendment that exempntial address, caused a burst of pronounce on the origin of the imilar traditions in dealing with existence of the problem. Bat many of these were entitled to
subject of this kind. In, he the amendment to limit them to some measure of exemption. But ment. Els long experience as a ground of a conscientions ab ind democracy could not live to not want the Germans to win. He Mr. Long opposed the amend- tion might be claimed on the Pplause by stating that militarism war. Mr Sexton had said he did non-combateat work would not when they declared that they justies in the petty sessions Court jection to military service" gether in Germany or anywhere (Mr Macdonald) asked: Who efents, a long time ago when an meet their position. Those who would not even state their case to was that the taking of an oath was well as to combatant servion. He else.
were willing to take such service the tribunals he wished to make often attended by an extreme stated that he moved the amend
does, honestly and fairly, who sitempt was made to induce the Oskars to fight they practically as that of the Army Medical Corps it clear that if they persisted in amount oflarity, and thatss proof meat in order to take a division
Might Attempt Too Much, does 2 From one point of view Mr. Anderson said that what they were the most litterly suli- ya body went to prison. The were in the minority. The mem. their deter zination to wear the of the existence of strong feeling upon it. Blate learned from that the lesson bers of the community to which martyr's crown they could do so. it was totally inadequate.
ever the original aim and pur German of any section. The Committes divided, and pose of the war, there was a dan- “We detent,”" unid. Mr. Mac- af wisdom, and when the Militia he belonged did not condemn (Cheers,) Bat, believing that
conscientious objectors asked by what
Mr. Snowden (Blackburn, Lab.) the numbers were ***
ger of reaction. The labour donald, “from the bottom of our Fallot was introduced the Quakers soldier who did his duty; they these
means the For the amendment. luded. The Australian admired his sacrifices and madly would not be of much use in any Government intended to find out
situation had been in many res-beerte every characteristic of Against
pects. badly handled. Parliament | Prussianism, and we want to story Commonwealth recognized this virtues, but they believed pro- capacity in the fighting services, that a man had a conscientions
Majority agains
205 had decided in favour of forced the beginning of it here,
right to take a particular course, bas whether the course was wise. The Government could not accept the amendment. It would not be possible on any principle on acting to accept it in its present form. If there was any right ci exemption on the ground of con- science, that surely did not apply to any particular denomination, but was a question of a man's owI conscience. That did not mean, however, that a man had only to ssy my conscience sys so and so to ret cff. It was something very #different from that.
which the Government were DOW
Regard to what it was wise to
thought, the 17th century at all
was bound to say that the merit
The Quaker' View.
.
The amendment was negatived,
The Question of Proof.
For the amendment Against:
Majority against
237
53
tional life.