THE DEFEATISTS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
SIR,—Sir Arnold Wilson, in his article on " Who Are the Defeatists? " in your number of February 3rd, has branded pacifists as being the first class of " defeatists." He adds a special reference to the Society of Friends.
I fear that Sir Arnold is not well acquainted with our movement. I do not know the distinction which he makes between refusing to kill " passively " rather than " actively," but I would refer him to the reaffirmation by the Society of Friends last November " against all war for whatever purpose."
Doubtless this will be dubbed as more defeatism by Sir Arnold. But defeatism can only be judged in relation to a specific objective. I find it difficult to discern the objective in Sir Arnold's article. Yet by implication it is concerned with the military power of this country. The pacifist is no judge of this object and is not primarily concerned with it.
We are concerned that this country should follow the path of Christian peace. It has no relation to Sir Arnold's objectives of military success, for it can only be won by the Christian method of the Cross. That we shall win I am even more certain than Sir Arnold. There is no room for defeatism in Christianity.
May I, however, venture to end this letter with a word cf agreement? Sir Arnold refers to the power of generosity in international affairs. I entirely agree. The rights of natives as well as the claims of other Powers demand Imperial sacri- fices on our part. As rulers of the greatest Empire in the world, it is for us to take the initiative in seeing that that Empire makes for peace rather than war.—Yours faithfully, KARI.IN CAPPER-JOHNSON, Secretary, Peace Committee of the Society of Friends. Friends House, Euston Road, London, N.W. i.
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