We can clearly see that the military, just as much as the police, is in harmony with universal law and justice and is its enforcer. For example: a man has committed a random act of a punishable offense and is therefore arrested by the police but he resists arrest. What happens next? Several more policemen are called up. At the same time, the man receives help from his like-minded comrades. They arm themselves, and the police cannot handle them, because they are shooting and mowing people down. What happens now? What is now the lawful and just thing for the police to do? How great is their strength? They are nothing and their strength is non-existent! So the army is called in, and they are able to deal with these criminals. What is that? It is war! Should the police have said, “Well, if he doesn’t want to go to jail willingly, then just let him be”? How many would then go to prison? The consequences would be that transgressors would take complete control. Lawlessness would then have arrived fully and completely. Law and justice in this world is worth nothing without the police, and the police are worth nothing without the army, and the army is worth nothing unless it is in connection with the authorities, and the authorities are worth nothing either unless it is in connection with God, for He guides the hearts of kings and authorities like rivers of water. The authorities bear the sword, and God has appointed them for that purpose. He will also see to it that they do not bear it in vain. Abolishing the military would be the equivalent of introducing utter lawlessness. Everyone who reads this should make an effort to understand it.Elias AslaksenGunboat ÆgerMay, 1915