strongly defended), from loftiness of sentiment, is the means towards genuine peace....  The so-called armed peace that prevails at present in all countries is a sign of a bellicose disposition, that trusts neither itself nor its neighbour, and, partly from hate partly from fear, refuses to lay down its weapons.  Better to perish than to hate and fear; and twice better to perish than to make oneself hated and feared.”—­From “Human all too Human,” vol. ii. (translated by P.V.  Colm, 1911).

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THE EFFECT OF DISARMAMENT.

“Just as the growth of armaments increases the common danger, so a policy of reduction would have the opposite effect, and were one European country boldly to adopt disarmament it would strengthen incalculably the forces making for peace in all countries.  The armaments of European nations are interdependent, and were such a policy pursued by one nation it would be followed, if not by immediate disarmament in other nations, at any rate, by very considerable reductions.  It is very easy to underrate the feeling which for some time past has been growing throughout Europe against the colossal waste of armaments.  Even in Germany, whose geographical position from a military point of view is weak, the Socialist vote, which is cast strenuously against armaments, has grown at each election until it now represents some 35 per cent, of the total electorate.  The great weapon with which reaction has attempted to combat Socialist growth has been an appeal against the ‘unpatriotic’ opposition to armaments.  What effect would this appeal have in face of disarmament abroad?  The Socialist party, with its anti-militarist programme, would sweep Germany and compel the Government rapidly to follow suit.  Sooner or later the internal pressure of public opinion would force the adoption of a similar policy upon the Government of every civilized country in Europe.”—­From “Why Britain Should Disarm” by George Benson (National Labour Press, 1d.).

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THE PRINCIPLE OF NATIONALITY.

“Now the war has come, and when it is over let us be careful not to make the same mistake or the same sort of mistake as Germany made when she had France prostrate at her feet in 1870. (Cheers.) Let us, whatever we do, fight for and work towards great and sound principles for the European system.  And the first of those principles which we should keep before us is the principle of nationality—­that is to say, not the conquest or subjugation of any great community or of any strong race of men, but the setting free of those races which have been subjugated and conquered; and if doubt arises about disputed areas of country we should try to settle their ultimate destination in the reconstruction of Europe which must follow from this war with a fair regard to the wishes and feelings of the people who live in them.”—­From the speech of Mr. Churchill, September 11, 1914, at the London Opera House.