Jonas Smucker Hartzler, Mennonites in the World War — Chapter IV. The Issues Involved (1922)
“ To willingly take up any activity so vitally a part of the war was simply to endorse the whole military affair not by the service rendered, but by willingly becoming a part of the military establishment. ”
Jonas Smucker Hartzler, Mennonites in the World War — Chapter IV. The Issues Involved (1922)
“ The slogan of many in the home community and in the camp was, "Break his will," little realizing that when one was tortured so that he would yield to what in his mind was opposed to a vital principle, that the injury was permanent. Many a young man will be worth less to himself, to his country, and to the Church, both mentally and physically because he was compelled to pass through such dire experiences that he finally yielded. ”
Jonas Smucker Hartzler, Mennonites in the World War — Chapter IV. The Issues Involved (1922)
“ Witnesses to the contrary can be pro duced by the hundreds. The issue was not money, not work, not mental incapacity, but the unscriptur- alness of war. A few did not take this position. A small per cent considered it a duty to buy bonds and donate to Government. Some of the young men thought that they owed it to their government and to their fellowmen to take some part, even though they could not kill. They applied for noncombatant service on arrival at camp. There were members who did not live up to the standard of nonresistance upheld by the Church. ”
