Dr. Conan Doyle and Mr. Bernard Shaw: Disarmament vs. Arbitration
On saturday 28 january 1899, Arthur Conan Doyle presided and spoke at the meeting of residents of Hindhead, Haslemere, and district, held in the Hindhead Hall, "to assure the Government of support in making the forthcoming International Peace Conference effective." .
Attendees
- President/Chairman
- Speakers
- Dr. Conan Doyle
- Mr. Charles McLaren, M.P.
- Mr. Corrie Grant
- Professor Christie
- People unable to attend
- Mr. Grant Allen
- Sir Robert Hunter
- Sir Frederik Pollock
- Mr. Justice Wright
- Hon. Rollo Russell
Conan Doyle contribution
Dr. Conan Doyle said he wished the great English nation, with its traditions and long record of philanthropy, had been the first to start this peace movement. But since it had been left to the head of another great nation to inaugurate it, if we were true to our national traditions we must loyally support it. It had always been easy enough to lash people into enthusiasm for war, and it would now be a refreshing change to lash them into enthusiasm for peace. (Cheers.) This was no new thing. Nineteen hundred years ago a great peace rescript was given to the nations of the world, but since that time wars had increased in number and violence, and things had reached such a pass that on the Continent of Europe, the most civilised part of the world, every man was brought up as a soldier. The wars of the future would be more terrible than the wars of the past. They would no longer be conflicts between two nations, but they would be conflicts between two armed races. Such a monstrous date of things obviously called for some improvement, and the Tsar's rescript gave the nations of the world an opportunity for examining their consciences to see if nothing could be done. (Cheers.) He believed the Tsar was absolutely honest, was actuated by the highest and most unselfish ideals, and meant every word he said. It would be time enough to think otherwise when his actions openly contradicted his words. (Hear, hear.)
Full Report
- Peace Symposium. Dr. Conan Doyle and Mr. Bernard Shaw (30 january 1899, The Daily Chronicle)