WCP603

[1]

[in ARW’s hand] No Ans

35, Devonshire Street,

Brighton,

Sussex, England

13 Jan^y 1913

Dear Sir

I am grateful for your kindly card — which I will treasure: I did not expect it.

Would that I could aid you in your good work; and add 15 years to your life!

I have been reading Psalm 37— in Hebrew— profitably I hope:

The great Evil in this— the blood suckers rely upon our “peaceful revolution” and upon our patience. It is all they ask, and want – simply a continuation of things as now exist! [2] When a Capitalist monopolist is “converted” it will be by fear for his hide! and the sight of magazine Rifle in the hands of his victims.

I know the "workman voters" you allude to: They are dependents of the rich, like the small trader upon his Banker.

I know our army well, having been a cavalry & infantry volunteer. The army is the special product of the Landlord & capitalists operations. The army, 90 per cent of it is formed by homeless, hungry, [illeg.] man, flying from so called [3] "Justice", and capitalist horrors generally.

These men are deliberately stripped, and pushed, and larsoed into the army, like cattle, for the purpose of enforcing such laws as such their masters. Yet we talk of voluntary Enlistment! There is no conscription like the hunger one: I have no misgivings upon that subject, at least.

Neither will you ever drive the sense of personal responsibility into a man, or the faculty of right thinking until you have clothed him with power, as with— a garment, by pulling life and death into his hands[.] He will vote correctly after that.

I want our armies disbanded, for most [4] part; and every man and woman over 14 familiarised with the magazine.

It is coming to that quickly—light!, long range fast firing guns, have revolutionised absolutely all the old military tactics. Uniforms are absurdities; and drill nearly useless.

All Barracks are Hells, and the degradation of manhood— officers and men— with exceptions of course.

Had I your power— and weight I would begin with Govt^s— putting life & death before them! Cursing & blessing, and at the same time create committees in every parish to carry out the good work.

Believe me | Yo ob servt [Your obedient servant] | G. Bell Williamson¹ [signature]

Alfred Russel Wallace Esq

&c. &c.

Broadstone, Dorset