Page:Women and war, an appeal to the women of all nations.djvu/13

 Rh But the soldiers are not the delinquents upon whom we animadvert; they are but the tools of politicians, armamentmakers and unscrupulous journalists. Another fallacy is that "you can't change human nature." All history gives this fallacy the lie. How about religious persecution, slavery, duelling? Have they not passed away in the British Empire?

for it is of vital importance that women should know the many sides of this great question. Let them join a Peace Society and obtain literature dealing with these problems. Such can be had very cheaply. Let them contribute to the maintenance of their National Peace Societies. Let them show those noble-hearted men, who in every country are striving to bring in a better method, that they are anxious to be their comrades and eager to support them. In many ways can women, even without the Suffrage, strengthen the hands of the Peace party. Women's Clubs might be formed for the study of the problems of peace and war; of what is being done; what the Hague Conferences have done; how at the last Conference forty-four nations met to discuss Arbitration, and how thirty-five present voted in public in favour of a Treaty. Let her help by rousing public opinion, to bring about the third Hague Conference, which may advance the federation of the nations.

What mothers can do, teachers who are the guides of the young may do equally well. They can teach history from the standpoint of Peace, and instead of that of battles, civil and social progress; also they can lay stress on names of heroes who have saved life instead of destroying it. The teacher can show how the will is involved, that there is no inevitableness about war. It is made because people "will it to be." That