On Monday in the House of Commons the Socialist, or
Pacifist, amendment to which we have already referred was .brought forward to reduce the Army by 150,000 men. This would leave only 11,000 men for the defence of the country. Mr. Ayles,. who was a conscientious objector during the War, argued that no sort of security could be obtained from armed forces. The fate of Ger- many, the greatest military nation in history, was an example of the futility of military preparation. Mr. Thurtle, who seconded the amendment, was listened to with more sympathy, as his opinions were based on experience. He had fought in the War and been wounded at Cambrai. His most interesting point was that the chief motive for war was fear. There was a vicious circle of fear, and unless some nation broke up the procession round that circle wars would go on.
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