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hevestary to tnuintain peace und security after the war, and that until the post-war international situa- tion is clarificd. this country should not depart from its tradition which has always opposed conscription of youth in times of peace. It therefore opposes action by Congress at the present time on bills providing for post-war com- palsory military training. The National Child Labor Committee also be- lieves that, before action is taken by Congress on this issue which will affect every American home, there should be an opportunity for citizen groups throughout the country, including men now in mil- itary service, to debate the question. It urges that the public schools be used as meeting places where y seople and adults may discuss this matter, fir. . all angles, formulate their opinions, and ex- ress them to their elected representatives. (May, 944). The Post-War World Council: The Post-War World Council records its opposi- tion to pending legislation providing for compul- sory, peacetime, military training and service on the following grounds: (1) Post-war conscription will make war econ- omy a permanency. Tt is one way of evading the responsibility of this country’s taking the nece lone-term and constructive measures to harnes productive capacity for the destruction of poverty Its acceptance means the substitution of @ military and armament economy far one that is democrat- ically controlled. Its maintenance means production gons, tanks, military clothes, and equipment teed of houses, schools, hospitals, and food. © defeat for an expsnding economy of abundance. . (2) Enactment of post-war conscription means we are admitting now, while we still fight, thal we rvs failed te Keen our pre ofa brave new work]. We serve notice on the world that our faith in the post-war period rests, not on international collaboration, but on our own military might. Tt means that we are preparing the blueprint for im- perialist adventure and for the next war to protect i * that imperialism. (34 Acceptance of post-war conscription means retcecression of educational freedorn. Our schools und callegcs will have to he geared to creating an adaytal ‘ blind obedience and rigid discipline rather than education for democracy. (4) Post-war conscription means the forging of a powerful weapon against free labor, History has other countries to break sirines by cult! to arnis, There are powerful and articulate grou in the United States thet would welcome so con- venient a method of throttling trade union activity. (5) Compulsory military training and service would more deeply imbed into the pattern of our society the racial discrimination so characteristic of the military caste system. The well-known Jim Crow pattern of the armed forces will influence every boy who lives under its conditions for a period during his formative years immediately after high school. (6) This country’s adoption of peacetime mil- itary conscription for the third time in its history will mean our falling back into the vices of the European military psychology which we have al- ways deprecated and looked down upon. The United States has long prided itself upon the fact that we offered a refuge to those who fled the obligation of military conscript service in the benighted countries of Europe which labored under this ‘handicap. (July 14, 1914) . The Fellowship of Reconciliation: We are unalterably opposed to having the ques- tion of permanent conscription settled in war time. The proposal to effect suck a revolutionary change in cur American way of life, and to tuke so drastic a step toward total regimentation, should be passed upon only after the most careful democratic discussion, which is impossible in war time. We must therefore decline to participate in any di: cussion with Government oficials as to provisions for CO's in any contemplated permanent conscrip: tion set-up, since this would in a me. the idea that we were willing to contemplate and acqsiesce in such measures. We most earnestly hope and pray tht all pacifists and religious agencies will take the same position. (March 26, 1943) Additional copies of this leaflet may be secured from: AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE 20 $. 12th St., Pailedeiphic 7, Pa. FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION 2929 Broadway, New York 25, N. Y. METHODIST COMMISSION FOR WORLD FEACE 740 Rush St, Ch'eago 12, Ul, NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PREVENTION OF WAR 1013 Eighteenth St., N.W., Washington 6, D.C. POST-WAR WORLD COUNCIL 112 E. 19th St, New York 3, N.Y. WAR RESISTERS LEAGUE 5 Beekman St., New York 5, N.Y. 2 Should the United States Adopt Permanent Military OFFICIAL STATEME ITS of twelve importa + religious, education :|, and civic bodies