BERTRAND RUSSELL'S CONVERSION.
Sir,-Your leader on the conversion of Bertrand Russell indicates the change that has been taking place in the attitude of many of our intelligentsia towards the present war. Bertrand Russell has not been alone in his conversion. His fellow champion in the cause of pacifism. Professor C. E. M. Joad, wrote to the editor of the "News Chronicle" on May 22 and publicly confessed that he could no longer adhere to the strict pacifist position, but must, with all his strength and mind, support the call of his country in what is now likely to be the sternest crisis of its history, When two such distinguished names publicly announce their change of attitude, one is encouraged to hope that Aldous Huxley, in the fastnesses of his refuge in Hollywood, will be the next convert, Another well-known writer who has renounced the pacifist creed is A. A, Milne, whose book " Peace With Honour" has had a considerable influence in recent years. Soon after the outbreak of war he wrote an article in the "Fortnightly Review," in which he stated that in the face of the threat of Nazi tyranny, he could do nothing less than disavow his former position, and defend with all his might the cause of freedom and justice, These pronouncements are truly indicative of a spirit that recognises that it is the common, lowbrow, fighting man who is defending the freedom of the intellectuals. The spirit in which these fighting men are taking up arms is admirably expressed in a recent poem by Laurence Whistler from his book "In Time of Suspense." "They are going forth, Gravely, not caring if the flags are flown Believing simply it must save for Earth A way of life becoming to mankind, A grace of centuries, a thing of worth vena In reviewing this book in the " Observer," Basil de Selincourt aptly said that "such an attitude is impregnable because it makes no hollow claims"
C. R.
BRADWELL
(Christchurch)
(The fact that we have printed ‘two letters on this sub-ject-one on each side-must not be regarded as an indication that our columns are open> for a controversy on pacifism. )
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 61, 23 August 1940, Page 5
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360BERTRAND RUSSELL'S CONVERSION. New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 61, 23 August 1940, Page 5
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