Note 13 — RESCUE WORK IN RELATION TO PROSTITUTION AND DISEASE

I cannot now enter upon a subject most difficult and important, a most prolific source of prostitution—viz., a standing army. I will only state to you for a special reason that my observations on the Continent of Europe have convinced me that the prevalence there of the system of universal military conscription—i.e., the compulsory enrolment of the entire male youth of the nation in the military service of a great standing army, where purity of life is not encouraged—is the greatest barrier that can exist to the gradual humanizing of sexual life. Let us, therefore, most gratefully recognise that in our own country we have not the gigantic evil of military conscription to overthrow, and let us ever hold in honour the memory of our ancestors, who have preserved us from that measureless curse.