Page:Justice in war time by Russell, Bertrand.djvu/12

VI these towns are in prohibited areas, I cannot go to them without permission in writing from the War Office. In reply to a request for this permission, I was informed that I must submit the lectures to the War Office censorship. I replied that this was impossible, as they were to be spoken, not read; but I sent the syllabus of the course.

In reply, I received a letter, dated Sept. 13, (1916) acknowledging receipt of the syllabus of lectures, and stating that "in the absence of further details," it was "impossible to advise the Army Council whether they might properly be given during the war." The letter further stated that "such topics as 'The Sphere of Compulsion in Good Government' and 'The Limits of Allegiance to the State' would, in particular, seem to require very careful handling if they are not to be mistaken for propaganda of the type which it is desired to postpone till after the conclusion of hostilities." It concluded by offering to give permission for the lectures if I would give "an honourable undertaking" not "to use them as a vehicle for propaganda."

My proposed course of lectures on "The World as it can be made" is not intended to deal with the immediate issues raised by the war; there will be nothing about the diplomacy preceding the war, about conscientious objectors, about the kind of peace to be desired, or even about the general ethics of war. On all these topics I have expressed myself often already. My intention is to take the minds of my hearers off the questions of the moment, and to suggest the kind of hopes and ideals that ought to inspire reconstruction after the war.

But when I am requested by the military authorities