We desire to endorse Mr. Page's appeal, and to repeat
what we said when, some two years ago, the matter was raised in our columns. The Universities would, no doubt, go beyond their powers in insisting on military service, but they have a perfect right to say that they will not grant their degrees or diplomas, the ultimate aim of which is to make good men and good citizens, except to those who have added to their intel- lectual training that moral and physical training through military discipline, the value of which has been recognized by all great educators, from Milton onwards. The Universities aim at making full men, but no man is what Barnes, the Doreetshire poet, called "full a man" unless he is capable of defending his country, his home, and his liberty. Though a conscience clause is not really needed in a case where training, and not actual service, is prescribed, we would allow a certifi- cate of exemption to any undergraduate who would go before the Vice-Chancellor and make a statement that it was con- trary to his conscience to train himself for the defence of his country in arms. For such conscientious objectors physical training in gymnastics, hygiene, and sanitation might be substituted.
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