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Show ffilHM 100 SCOKESJBJECTQR Director of American Union Against Militarism Gets Answer An-swer to His Query. SHOULD BE SHOT Henry Wise Wood Expects No Class From His Generalization Generaliza-tion of Slackers. NEW YORK, Aug. 28. In answer to a letter from Roger N. Baldwin, director di-rector of tho American Union Against Militarism, asking for an expression of opinion as to what should bo done with the conscientious objector, Henry A. Wise Wood, chairman of the Con-ference Con-ference committee on National Preparedness, Pre-paredness, has sent the following: "Roger N. Baldwin, Esq., Director American Union Against Militarism, Washington. D. C, "Dear Sir: Answering the question onntninnrl in vnnr loltor. rr Tnl nctu as to "how our country should deal with the problem of the 'Conscientious Objector' to war men of military age who will refuse to participate in the war If drafted," I would say It is my opinion that these men should be compelled com-pelled to sene. by force if necessary. All in society who are physically able to defend it from destruction must bo compelled so to defend it when the emergency arises and such an emergency emer-gency now confronts us. Thoso who at the front refuse should be court-martialed court-martialed and shot; thoso who at home refuse should be tried for treason and imprisoned. "Also I should like to point out to you the damage to Russia that a propaganda pro-paganda like yours has done. There, recently, men and women like those composing your organization have had full sway, with the result that must inevitably in-evitably follow such leadership that of comploto national disintegration. With the Russian object lesson in view I do not believe that you will find manv followers here that ia among those who arc mentally normal. "Returning to tqo 'Conscientious Objector' I recall that the first military mili-tary law of the colony of Now York, enacted in 1SG4, refers contemptuously to your conscientious objectors as 'those who, pretending tender consciences con-sciences aro unwilling to bear arms.' "From my generalization I do not except the Society of Friends. My ancestors an-cestors were Friends, in Philadelphia, when the revolution broke out, but despite de-spite the protests of their co-religionists they took up arms and helped free this country for which they were ex-polled ex-polled from meeting. When religious or other orders refuse to aid with force if need bo tho preservation of the community com-munity from destruction, they are anti-social in fact and should be dealt with accordingly. "In conclusion, my dear sir, permit me to say that I consider tho pro'pa- ganda or your organization as perhaps the most insidiously evil thing that is crawling benoath the foundations of our national edifice, and that I shall spare no effort to crush it, if I can. "Sincerely, Henry A. Wise Wood." |