MARGINAL COMMENTS
By ROSE MACAULAY IN this rather sad world, to be offered a drink is some- 1. thing, and when I open a letter and see in it the glad word symposium, I own that I am at first pleased. But, casting my eyes here and there about the typed (sometimes printed) pages of my letter, I too often perceive other and more melancholy words, such as culture, Fascism, tyranny, liberty, war ; and it becomes apparent that I am not being invited to a drinking-party but offered an examination paper. The years roll back ; I sit and stare at dreary questions and consider dusty answers. What lessons should be drawn from the war in Spain ? Who are responsible for it ? With what dangers do the events in Spain face Europe and the world ? Discuss. What should the democratic and peace- loving Powers do to prevent a world conflagration ? Last (an easy one, which had better be done first), do you think it necessary to co-ordinate all the forces for peace and freedom ? It is proposed " to issue a symposium of the statements received," and that is all the drink there is to this party.
Here is another. The questions are easier. Am I in favour of liberty, peace, democracy, justice, humanity and culture ? Am I against tyranny, dictatorship, and war, which means the murder of women and children by Fascist bombs ? These seem so easy that one suspects a catch 'somewhere. I try answering " no," but do not send it in, for fear all the other examinees shall have put " yes ." On the other hand, I scarcely like to say " yes," it sounds like showing off. "What do you suppose, you fool ? " seems the only apt reply.
No, I cannot return these examination papers, or partake of these cheerless and pompous symposia. A symposium without drink is like a cavalcade without horses ; I hear of bcth, but look on them with cold eyes.
I am rather bothered, too, by that definition of war. " The murder of women and children by Fascist bombs." Apart from the fact that it seems a little insulting to the resourceful- ness and energy in bomb-dropping of the side (if any) which is not Fascist, I deprecate this impression, which appears to be spreading, that it is only women and children who arc the targets of attack in warfare. How seldom do we hear of anyone else being slain by enemy bombshells ! Even Lord Baldwin has laid it down that victory in the next war will go to the side which can kill the most women and children. Women and children. The phrase is repeated so often and so glibly that it has come to seem a kind of unhappy composite creature, like a centaur, perpetually and dread- fully hunted and slain. As one of them, I own that I depre- cate strongly this view that we are, or should be, the main targets of the military. Such a belief is liable to make men careless about starting these deplorable affairs ; and I feel it my duty to point out to journalists and publicists that femicide and infanticide are by no means the only military activities, and that several adult males have also been among the fallen in the present Peninsular war. This, of course, makes war no better but even worse, or, as a convinced pacifist, I should not think of mentioning it I foresee, by the way, a speedy collapse of this Spanish business : General Franco's foreign allies will surely desert him in disgust and go home. For this ungrateful General is again issuing a statement (while Rome is honouring the heroes of Guadalajara) that his army has never received or required any foreign assistance whatsoever. Had the French Staff said as much (instead of not quite as much) during the last European war before this one, what would their British allies have done about it ? The General's ingratitude and manners seem quite deplorable. Intelligent generals wait to say this kind of thing until the war is over and the bill comes in. There is a time to be grateful and a time to be ungrateful, and happy is the general who knows which is which.
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