ours because we, whose mission it was to lead the people could only find time to despise the people,--because we could not and would not understand! FOOTNOTES: [1] Note for example the action of the Irish Members in securing the exclusion of Convent Laundries from the operation of the Factory Acts--action of which every enlightened Roman Catholic, to whom I have spoken of it, has expressed strong disapproval. [2] Social Democracy and the Armed Nation, Twentieth Century Press, 37a Clerkenwell Green, E.C. 1d. [3] Fabianism and the Empire, edited by Bernard Shaw, the Fabian Society, 3, Clements Inn, W.C. 3d. [4] There is one of Mr. Blatchford’s proposals to which I feel the strongest possible objection; that is the suggestion that those who do not volunteer for his citizen force should pay extra taxation. This sounds fair enough, no doubt, but its effect would clearly be that the rich could escape service and the poor could not--which is hardly a Socialist ideal. Surely it is sounder policy to make such citizen training as you give compulsory for all able-bodied citizens. [5] Since these pages were sent to the press a striking confirmation of my view has been furnished by recent occurrences in Russia. There, it will be remembered, the populace (acting on strictly Tolstoian principles) marched _unarmed_ to lay their grievances before their Sovereign. We all know what happened. They were shot down and cut to pieces by Cossacks. One hopes that the survivors will be less faithful to Count Tolstoi’s gospel in the future, and will perhaps realise that “moral force” is an exceedingly poor protection against bullets and bayonets. [6] Lest I should be accused of “sitting on the fence” (a phrase much beloved by those who always want to have judgment first and evidence afterwards) I may as well state definitely that in my opinion a protective tariff, if framed by genuine reformers solely in the public interest, would be decidedly advantageous to Labour. [7] I omit mention of the proviso whereby certain Non-County Boroughs and Urban District Councils have authority over Elementary but not over Higher Education. The concession was a most unfortunate one, but it does not affect the general drift of my argument. [8] The gentleman in question announced, if I remember rightly that he proposed to avoid this misunderstanding by showing in his front garden a placard with the inscription-- “MY GOODS ARE BEING SOLD TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE.” --a remarkably candid confession! [9] _The Case for Municipal Drink_ by E. R. Pease (King & Son). [10] The Labour Party might also take up the question of the development of Crown Lands (especially those containing minerals), to which Mr. Sheridan Jones has lately been drawing public attention.