British methods of recruiting in normal times [382]
The Conscription of Hunger [382]
The cant of the voluntary principle [384]
The 'economic' fallacy [385]
The fallacy of underrating the moral of conscript armies [387]
The army which we call 'voluntary' our enemies call 'mercenary' [389]
'Mercenary' describes not the British Army but the British People [389]
The true description of the British Army is 'Professional' [390]
The theory of the British Army [391]
That officers should pay for the privilege of serving [391]
That the rank and file should contract for a term of years [392]
Under pressure of want [392]
At pay which is below the market rate [392]
This contract is drastically enforced [393]
With the full approval of anti-militarist opinion [393]
Inconsistencies of the anti-militarists [394]
Their crowning inconsistency [395]
Other industries put pressure on society [396]
Why should not a professional army? [396]
The example of Rome [397]
A professional army when it first interferes in politics usually does so as a liberator [397]
Then military despotism follows speedily [399]
A fool's paradise [399]
SOME HISTORICAL REFLECTIONS
Bugbears [401]
Conflict of 'opinion' with 'the facts' [402]
An army is no defence unless it is available for service abroad [402]
The Industrial Epoch (1832-1886) [403]
Its grudging attitude towards the Army [403]
Honour paid by conscript nations to their armies [406]
Democracy cannot subsist without personal service [406]
During the Industrial Epoch exemption from Personal Service was regarded as the essence of Freedom [408]
War was regarded as an anachronism [409]
Since 1890 there has been a slow but steady reaction from these ideas [410]
Volunteer movement and Territorial Army compared [411]
Effect of the Soudan campaign and South African War [411]
Effect of more recent events [412]
Have we passed out of a normal condition into an abnormal one, or the reverse? [412]
Germany's great grievance against Britain: we thought to hold our Empire without sacrifices [413]
The Freiherr von Hexenküchen's views—
(1) On our present case of conscience [416]
(2) On our voluntary system [416]
The American Civil War [417]
Lincoln insisted on conscription (1863) [418]
His difficulties [418]
Results of his firmness [419]
Difference in our own case [419]
Our need for conscription is much greater [419]
It is also far easier for our Government to enforce it [420]
THE CRUCIBLE OF WAR
The objects of this book [421]
Criticism of naval and military strategy is no part of its purpose [422]
Nor the ultimate political settlement of Europe [424]
Nor an inquisition into 'German atrocities' [424]
But the basis of Germany's policy must be understood [425]
And what we are fighting for and against [425]
The causes of German strength [427]
The causes of British weakness [427]
Illusions as to the progress of the war [428]
The real cause of our going to war [430]
Democracy is not by its nature invincible [431]
Leadership is our chief need [433]
The folly of telling half-truths to the People [435]