11 AUGUST 1923, Page 2

We venture to congratulate the Social Democratic Federation, without being

sure how our congratulations will be received. On Monday, Mr. G. M. Bell, the Vice- President, moved a resolution urging all Socialists to demand a democratic army for national defence with its corollary of " military training for all citizens." After considerable discussion the resolution was carried with only two dissentients. The main argument for the resolution was the one which we have used for many years, that unless we are to do without an Army alto- gether—which very few people indeed suggest—the obligation to serve when necessary should be laid on every individual as an ordinary duty of citizenship. That is the true democratic idea. We have never been able to understand how people could with a straight face call this " Jingoism."