[To THE EDITOR OF THE 'New YORK Tuir8.1
In a moving picture exhibited on Broadway, written obviously for the purpose of awakening the public to the necessity of preparedness, the scene opens with the action of a crowd of women singing Didn't Raise My Boy to be a Soldier,' the other side of the picture emphasizing indifference, lack of patriotism, and unpreparedness and holding up this song to public contempt as the battle song of peaoe at any price. As the writer of this song, it surpasses understanding how any one can garble its meaning and intent by separating the title from the context. The song is self-explanatory and needs no apology. 'Let nations arbitrate their future troubles, it's time to lay the sword and gun away ' is
purely a plea for arbitration. There'd be no war to-day if mothers all would say, I didn't raise ray boy to be a soldier.' The plea is universal. If mothers all would say' and sons would all obey' there could be no wars. I have been accused of writing this song to strengthen the cause of the so-called peace societies in, but not of, the United States. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have nothing but contempt for those who, while extolling the marvellous efficiency of their own country, are endeavouring to lull this country into a sense of false security for the benefit of future aggressions from abroad. The song was written at the opening of the European War, when this nation was shocked at the sudden reversion to barbarism, and acts of brutality and violence visited upon the peaceful women and children of the countries invaded. It is purely and simply a protest, through the voice of motherhood, against that form of "kultur ' which has enslaved millions of people to the will of one man, and which exacts fidelity even 'unto the third and fourth generation' to the Fatherland from those who have migrated to other lands and taken the oath of allegiance to the country of their adoption. There are seven relatives of mine now fighting with the Canadian regiments in the trenches in France for the cause of freedom— all Bryans. Not no relation to William Jennings. Netu York, September 13th, 1915. ALFRED BRYAN."
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