Timeless Question: Will Those Who Protest War Stop Buying It?

A letter to the editor from the 20 November 1926 Grantham Journal:

“Peace and War.”

To the Editor of the Journal.

Sir,– I have quite a lot that I should like to say to your readers on the subject of “Peace and War.”

I dare not, after your past kindnesses, ask you to do more than allow me to compliment the Rev. H.E. Stancliffe for having the courage to tell his audience that “they must end war, or war would end them.” To this I wish he had added that those who bared their heads for the two minutes’ silence will refuse to pay taxes for the maintenance of the fighting forces after Armistice-day, 1927.

I am, Sir, yours truly,
Harvey W[illiam]. Warren.
62, North-parade, Grantham,
15^th November, 1926.

Warren was the author of “Key to a World Peace,” a booklet advocating a program of mutual national disarmament overseen by an international supreme court which would also adjudicate international disputes.

From the 22 November 1899 Derby Mercury:

The Troubles in Spain

Madrid, November 15. — The General League of Producers, in which most of the local leagues of a similar character throughout Spain are represented, has issued a manifesto to the country, addressed especially to taxpayers. It declares that passive resistance to the payment of taxes is lawful, and the managing committee of the league, while recommending the payment of the taxes for the second quarter of the current year, advises the taxpayers to reserve their decision regarding the third quarter for a later date. The proclamation further exhorts the taxpayers to control their impatience, and to put their confidence in the General League. “If,” the document continues, “it is true, as is declared by those watching us from the other side of the Pyrenees, that we are on the eve of a 5^th of May, 1789, let us be sparing of our blood, so that we may reach the 4^th of August calm and strong, and even that more distant epoch of the liberation of our country in such a way that we shall not lay ourselves open to the charge of precipitation or of having been lacking in prudence.”

Contrary to official information received this morning from Barcelona, anticipating an early settlement of the dispute, the latest information shows that the situation there has become more serious. Merchants and shopkeepers refuse emphatically to pay their taxes, and they assert their attitude will contribute to the fall of the Ministry. Shops have again been closed.

This was the celebrated tancament de caixes in Barcelona, which continues to inspire tax revolts in Spain and Catalonia today.