From The Spectator, 26 December 1914:
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE “SPECTATOR”]
SIR,—Two correspondents in your issue of December 12th, writing on recruiting, say: “Compel all bachelors.” There was the same feeling in my son’s Territorial battalion on the first request for volunteers—the married men excused themselves (they afterwards volunteered). But why should they be excused ? Have not married men more at stake and more to fight for than the single men ? It has surely been so in Belgium. There is no fair solution and nothing which will do away with specious excuses except Universal Service, which will fall equally on married and single, those with mothers and those without, those with business to attend to and these who have not, &c. Further, are we going to continue the privilege of voting to those who recognize no duty to the State—and will the slackers now become equally entitled with the patriotic to have Old Age Pensions provided by a grateful community when they reach a ripe and honoured (?) old age?—I am, Sir, &c.,S.
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