The Peace Ballot In a letter in the later columns
of this issue Lord Cecil appeals for funds to defray the expenses of the Peace Ballot, which he has launched with such astonishing suc- cess. We give the appeal our cordial and unhesitating support. Whatever hesitations may have been felt in the first instance about the Peace Ballot, it has abundantly justified itself if only as an instrument for the education of public opinion in issues vital to the future of this coun- try and the world. Many criticisms may, no doubt, be made of the particular phraseology used in the framing of the questions—almost any questions that could be conceived would be open to such criticisms—but the fact that four million persons have already filled up the ballot papers, and that that figure may be doubled before the ballot closes, is remarkable testimony to Lord Cecil's success in reaching both the hearts and heads of the people. The ballot has been conducted on completely non-party lines, and in spite of the hesitations of some Conservative leaders Conservatives in most constituencies throughout the kingdom are understood to be supporting the ballot with conviction and helping to carry it out effectively. The expenses are inevitably considerable, and it is not right that the burden of them should be laid on Lord Cecil's shoulders.
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