II

It has been conceded that war is an atrocity, a crime upon civilisation, that it is wasteful and ultimately useless, that imperialistic campaigning and military aggression stand condemned. But what of that? A.B.C. can forget it all when it comes to the question of our duty in defence of a just cause—a duty we must recognise.

But is war the only way? It has always been odd to see Mars as the message-boy of Justice, but A.B.C. would urge that there are yet times when our highest duty impels us to participate in this "crime upon civilisation,"—when Mats alone can be relied on.

Then let us tell the tale of King Ivan, who had no time for Mars, and hence was known as Ivan the Fool. He had no army, and one day the King of a nearby country prepared to make war on him. When preparations were complete he advanced to the frontier with his army and crossed the border. King Ivan heard the news, but, fool that he was, did nothing. The invading force sent out scouts to look for Ivan's army. They waited and waited for one to appear somewhere, but there were no signs of an army, and no one to fight with. Orders were given to seize the villages. Day after day the soldiers marched from village to village taking the corn and the cattle, and the people did not hinder them, but only said:

"Poor fellows, if you have a hard life in your own land, why don't you come and stay with us altogether?"

The soldiers marched and marched, and every-where the same thing happened. They found it dull work, and at last they said to their King:

"We cannot fight here, lead us elsewhere. War is all right, but what is this? It is like cutting peasoup!"

Their King grew angry at this and ordered his soldiers to over-run the whole kingdom, to destroy the villages, to burn the grain and the houses, and to slaughter the cattle. "And if you do not execute my orders," said he, "I will execute you all."

The soldiers were frightened and began to act as the King ordered. They proceeded through the kingdom burning and killing everywhere. But the fools still offered no resistance, but only wept.

"Why do you harm us?" they said. "Why do you waste good things? If you need them, why do you not take them for yourselves?"

At last the soldiers could stand it no longer. They refused to go any further and the army disbanded and fled. (From Tolstoy.)

Z.Y.X.