Dowsing for Divinity

Would Fight For a Woman?

At a sitting of the Conscientious Objectors’ Tribunal for the Southern Area, held at Reading on Thursday, with Judge Maurice Drucquer in the chair, L. W. Elmer, a sewage farm general labourer, living at 32, Orchard Road, Southsea, claimed exemption from military service, his ground for such a claim being that the war was being fought to maintain the gold standard. He had no religious convictions what-ever, and his reason for seeking exemption was that he did not wish to fight for gold. He expressed the opinion that Germany had a legitimate right to express her opinions to the world and to ask for them to be examined. He knew that this country was pre-years, for he served in the Navy from 1921 to 1935. The only reason for fighting was either for money or for women. “I will fight for a woman,” he said, “but I will not fight for money for any living thing. The Tribunal found that there was no conscientious objection.

RESIGNED SCHOOL O.T.C.

Dennis Percy Cooper (24), of sunwood Farm, Ditcham, Petersfield, a poultry farmer, applied for exemption, stating that he believed war was wicked and futile. He resigned from his school O.T.C. because of his views, and shortly before the outbreak of war he lost his job as a schoolmaster because it became known what action he would take in the event of war.

He then took up poultry farming, and was now producing 5,000 eggs a month. At school he was secretary of their branch of the League of Nations Union.

The Chairman: But the League of Nations itself as a last resort relies on war.
[Cooper replied] I do not think that the original idea of the League of Nations.

It was the very basis of it. The whole trouble with the League of Nations, in my opinion, was that it was run by two monopolistic Powers in Western Europe, namely, England and France. There were undoubtedly dissatisfied Powers at the end of the last war. These nations must live, and they must have markets. What we should have done was to try to get our Government to call a world conference to discuss these things. He [Cooper] added: “But my objection is based on a criticism [of] war as such, and that bad means will only achieve bad ends. From war you will only get more war. I for one do not believe that Hitler had any intention to crush US.”

Sir William Holdsworth, a member of the Tribunal: “Do you believe that he had any intention to crush Belgium, Holland or Norway?” [Cooper replied] “No, I don’t. I will not help the Government to settle its problems by force at all.” Applicant was registered on condition that he continues to carry on his poultry farm.

“COULD NOT TAKE LIFE”

Harold James Aburrow, of Scotchells, Tilmore Gardens, Petersfield, a grocer’s assistant employed by Mr. W. J. Fuller, of Petersfield, claimed exemption on religious grounds, stating that he had been a member of the Exclusive Brethren for many years.

Mr. A. J. Hill gave evidence that the applicant had been from childhood brought up with the Brethren, and said he was a sincere member, taking a very active interest in their work. Applicant said he could not take life, but he had no objection to non-combatant service. He was registered accordingly.