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London, Jack, 1876-1916

"Revolution, and Other Essays"

All will be joy-smiths, and
their task shall be to beat out laughter from the ringing anvil of
life.
"And now one word for the immediate future. On New Year's Day all
nations shall disarm, all fortresses and war-ships shall be
dismantled, and all armies shall be disbanded.
GOLIAH."

On New Year's Day all the world disarmed. The millions of soldiers
and sailors and workmen in the standing armies, in the navies, and in
the countless arsenals, machine-shops, and factories for the
manufacture of war machinery, were dismissed to their homes. These
many millions of men, as well as their costly war machinery, had
hitherto been supported on the back of labour. They now went into
useful occupations, and the released labour giant heaved a mighty
sigh of relief. The policing of the world was left to the peace
officers and was purely social, whereas war had been distinctly anti-
social.
Ninety per cent. of the crimes against society had been crimes
against private property. With the passing of private property, at
least in the means of production, and with the organization of
industry that gave every man a chance, the crimes against private
property practically ceased.


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