§ 10

If the French Revolution does not teach us the inevitable punishment for anarchy, Russia’s débâcle surely should. Militarism has only changed places there. Having been in the hands of one party, it is now in another. Tyranny has changed places, that is all! Educated men, that is to say, men who have studied cause and effect through the teaching of past history, know that certain results follow action. That is to say, situations change places. The student of history, like a chess player, is aware that the move of a pawn may be the turning-point in a game. Anarchy is a monster that breeds quickly; her whelps carry the poison of rabies which, after infecting a small circle, increases by leaps and bounds. When it has become unmanageable, when men’s passions have led them out of the bounds of reason, militarism must be resorted to. When reason and peaceful persuasion cease to avail, powder and shot have to be used, and sometimes unmercifully! Uneducated men are led by passion, educated by reason. Are we sure that anarchy is not being bred here? If so, has it shown itself? Trades unions were useful in times past, they sought for justice, they achieved something, and up to a point it was good. Like many movements beginning well and founded upon justice, it has overstepped the mark. That which began justly is ending unjustly. Peaceful order has grown to tyranny. Is it consonant with the English character to be told how much or how little our workman may labour? The workmen of England who have given themselves over to the tyranny of trades unions are rendered slaves to them.

Leaders of trade unions encourage dishonesty, but that is not all, they encourage a small output when a large one is an absolute necessity if England is to retain her place as a leading country in Europe. An “output” scrapped will mean treasure to Germany. If English labour declines, German labour will gain ascendancy here; that is certain. After the financial strain to which England has been subjected by the war, increased production is imperative. Strikes arrest production, and thus are harmful to the whole community. If they are permitted ad lib., what will be the result? Each strike costs millions to trade. What must the end be? Bankruptcy of the nation! Who will suffer? Labour will suffer first, because if capital is unobtainable labour cannot be paid for.