Читать книгу Mennonites in the World War - Jonas Smucker Hartzler - Страница 20

The barbarous practices of war had been in vogue in Europe as far back as one can trace, regardless of the advancement made along the lines of education and science. As a country excelled in one thing, its rival must excel in some other as a means of protection. Fear and jealousy were general. More and more military laws were being passed and it was becoming almost impossible for nonresistants to get exemption. Practically all the countries had some form of military training. In course of time Germany surpassed all the others in this. The Mennonites of that country accepted the uniform and drill under protest, but in course of time protests grew less and these things were not considered so objectionable from the standpoint of nonresistance. The glitter of the uniform, the glare of the gun, and the thrill of the music helped to quiet the conscience, so that as the years rolled by many young men were glad when they were old enough to begin the course of training.