A NATIONAL CENSUS.
[To r. Errroa or nu 4.8rEcr,roo."] Sin,—Germany's war is upon all the men, women, and children of its enemies. Neither age nor sex affords exemp- tion from its armed attack. In its view there is no such person as a "non-combatant" in the lines of the countries against
which it is waging war, including their merchant ships and the citizens of neutral countries (men, women, and children) who may chance to be travelling in them. The subjects of His Britannic Majesty must perforce accept the situation. We are all combatants, and every one of us moat take that part in the war which is appropriate to his or her age, sex, and conditions of life. Our leaders must tell us what that part shall he, and they can do this effectively only after a fairly accurate census has been taken. We can take this at once if the Government will ask us to help it. For example, I would undertake to register the name, age, and sex of every person living in the twenty-nine houses of the small road in Kensington in which I live within forty- eight hours after I am armed with authority to do the work, and my register shall have the details of all condi- tions which will enable the proper authorities to determine what each of ns shall do. I am certain that every person in the road would, if deemed necessary, turn his or her hand to the making of ammunition or to such service as may be incidental to its provision. (I should be glad to learn how to be of use in this regard, and to put on a leather apron and devote as many home a day to it as physical endurance will permit—of course without compensation.) But we must not draw the lines on sex or age. Let us all—men, women, and children—register, and do it immediately. Our brothers at the front, our allies, and our enemies will then begin to under- stand the temper of England, and be guided accordingly. And—more important than all else—we shall begin to under- stand England's determination ourselves, and to get rid of certain seditious elements—more noisy than numerous—whose allotted privilege of duties to be performed will engage their attention to the exclusion of their pro-Germanic activities.—I [We are sure that our correspondent is not alone. If the Government will not create a National Register, will they not at any rate allow a Voluntary Register upon which any man can place his name as "at the orders of the Government during the war" P That would be a poor substitute for a com- pulsory National Register, but better than nothing.—En.
Spectator.]
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