COWARDICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3521, 7 August 1926, Page 4

COWARDICE.

DEATH PENALTY DEBATED,

What is cowardice is a question that has been asked in the British House of Commons. Members tried to find an answer to the question in a debate recently,’ on a motion by Mr. Thurtle, a Socialist member, to abolish the death penalty in the army for cowardice, or desertion on active service.

The most interesting contribution was a story by Mr. R, Morrison, another Socialsit member, of the experience of a friend of his during the great war. While on outpost duty that friend was the sergeant in command of a party of four men who were cut off without food or ammunition. They eventually decided to try to lind their way into the German lines. On the way the live men came face to face with a German N.C.O. and six men. Both parties held up their hands simultaneously. Tho German N.C.O. was able to speak English, and they discussed whether it would be safer for the GChilians to surrender to the British and both to try to reach the British lines, and ■ vice versa. As the British artillery barrage was more severe, it was eventually decided to try to reach the British lines. The parties were successful, and Mr. Morrison concluded by announcing that bis friend was eventually decorated tor his gallantry in retaining his post and capturing a German N.C.O. and six men.

Mr. Thurtle announced that his proposal was moved with the official approval of the Labour Party, and that if it came into power again it will carry it into effect. Mr. Thurtle served n the war, and was wounded at Cambrai. The death penalty, he said, should still be enforced in cases which involved treachery, but cases of cowardice could not be strictly classed in the category of crime. They were due more to human weakness than'vicious intent.

In the late war, Mr. Thurtle 1 said, he thought that the death penalty was used vindictively, and he quoted the cases of two men who deserted at Waterloo Station, were later arrested, taken to France, and shot there.

A. Conservative member asked whether Mr. Thurtle thought that

these men were subject to nervous strain?

Mr. Thurtle replied that the most tragic moment in a soldier’s life was when the time came to say “farewell” to his wife and children.

“Sob stuff!” ejaculated the Conservative.

Mr Thurtle retorted that the member ought to have a better sense of decency.

Mr. Morrison, who seconded the proposal, suggested that the issue ought really to be decided by a meeting of Cabinet, held in a front line trench, because it was impossible to secure the right atmosphere in the comfort of the House of Commons.

Captain King, the Financial Secretary of the War Office resisted the proposed abolition on behalf of the Government. In the course of his own experiences during the war, he said, he had met fewer than 10 men who could he said to be absolutely without fear, and the only difference between them was the extent to which they could control it. That was a matter of will power, and the fear of the death penalty for cowardice was a great help to that will power. The proposal was defeated by 2C9 to 123.