14 THE CHANGES NEEDED 



the services of their men, and to do the best 

 that can be done for a time without them. Those 

 who are selfish reap the monetary advantage, 

 those who are more patriotic, or less selfish, sub- 

 mit to the handicap. 



All this injustice would be put an end to by 

 universal military service ; and the idea that all 

 men, being citizens of one country, should equally 

 do their duty, would permeate all candid minds. 

 There are hosts of men who would not by this, 

 nor by any other means, be prevented trying 

 to take advantage of others ; but if evil cannot 

 be extirpated it may be diminished ; and the 

 spread of the idea of justice is a means toward 

 the great end. 



The idea of justice contains the notion of a 

 right. Men do often claim as their right that 

 which encroaches on the right of another. The 

 great right that every citizen can and should 

 claim is the right to be a full citizen. No one 

 is exercising the right of a full citizen who shirks 

 his patriotic duty in order to snatch what he can. 



This is not the whole matter. Besides being 

 very good for a nation, universal military service 

 may be so organised as to be much more efficient 

 for defence than any form of voluntary service. 

 For where all serve equally there is no injustice 

 in keeping men actively serving much longer than 

 would be possible where some bear the burden 

 from which the majority shy away. 



Nor need universal service necessarily involve 

 a nation in expenditure higher than that required 

 for the maintenance of regulars and volunteers. 



