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Uncertainty
before the Judge
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Still,
the majority of COs who appeared before a judge remember it being
a hard experience. The judges, and others present in the courtroom,
used a number of different tactics. One, as we have seen, was intimidation.
Other times, the judge would try to get the CO to compromise his
values in a small way. In P.A. Unger's case, the judge tempted him
with freedom.
“It
was suggested to me that the 4 months “Basic Training,” which
was to be the first assignment, “wouldn't hurt” anyone. I responded:
“If I am thus trained, I will be used for military purposes.”
I was then informed that my medical category was “E” which would
exempt me from military duty: “So why not enlist and receive your
discharge. Then you are free. If not you will have to go to the
CO camps.” I felt, though this might be the case, because of extremely
poor vision in my left eye, it could be a trap on their part.
Besides I felt that for me to take advantage of that situation
would be a denial or betrayal of my non-resistant stand, and told
the judge so. Up till then, Harvey [the judge] was the only one
who had spoken to me. But at this, one of the other men roundly
denounced me to be an unworthy citizen of Canada.” [MHC, 1015-66]
Sometimes,
as in Unger's story, the CO had to contend with more than just the
judge. Another CO remembers one court observer who was so aggressive
that the judge had to quiet him down.
“The
court room was set up [with] the judge, a short hand stenographer,
one army official, another official – his authority unknown to
me, and an official from the Canadian Legion. The latter seemed
to want to have the most to say, and as far as I'm concerned the
most meaningless too. His preference was to make a fool of you,
rather than to get sound decisions. He was frequently quieted
down by the judge.” [MHC, 1015-58]
At
times, the scene must have been rather confusing. Neither side could
truly understand the other. The judges were strong patriots. They
could not believe there was a group of people who refused to fight.
George Kroeker's recollection shows how the judge misunderstood
his intentions.
“I
was fearful that the judge would lash out and we would all suffer
for it. But I was amused how calm the judge was when I appeared
before him. He had received my letter for postponement, requesting
for a brief stay of calling for military training. He assumed
that I wanted to be exempted from military services. I told him
that it was not the case. I needed a few more weeks to complete
my grade 12 high school He agreed to grant me those few months.
But he was inquisitive to know into which contingent in the armed
forces I would chose. “The non-combatant medical corps,” was my
answer. He could not oblige since Canada did not have such arrangement.
He questioned me if I would work in ammunition factories or be
trained for radar-radio operation or join the air force. To which
I told him, “If I make bullets, direct planes to bomb cities,
I may just as well have dropped them myself, which I could not.”
He was puzzled. “I will give you until September to decide which
of the choices you will join,” was his final command.” [ASM,
18-21]
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