would be impossible with all the other burdens which the belligerent states will have to bear after peace is concluded.  This expense, I repeat, would mean the ruin of the nations.  To return, however, to the relatively limited armaments in existence previous to 1914 would be quite impossible for any individual state, which would be so far behind that its military strength would not count.  The expense incurred would be futile.  But were it possible to return to the relatively low level of armaments in 1914, that in itself would signify an international lowering of armaments.  But then there would be no sense in not going further and practically disarming altogether.

There is but one egress from this narrow defile:  the absolute international disarmament of the world.  There is no longer any object in such colossal fleets if the states of the world guarantee the freedom of the seas, and armies must be reduced to the lowest limit requisite for the maintenance of order in the interior.  This will only be possible on an international basis; that is, under international control.  Every state will have to cede some of its independence to ensure a world peace.  The present generation will probably not live to see this great pacifist movement fully completed.  It cannot be carried out rapidly, but I consider it our duty to put ourselves at the head of the movement and do all that lies in human power to hasten its achievement.  The conclusion of peace will establish the fundamental principles.

If the first principle be laid down as the compulsory international arbitration system as well as general disarmament on land, the second one must be that of the freedom of the high seas and disarmament at sea.  I purposely say the high seas, as I do not extend the idea to straits or channels, and I readily allow that special rules and regulations must be laid down for the connecting sea routes.  If these first two factors have been settled and assured, any reason for territorial adjustments on the plea of ensuring national safety is done away with, and this forms the third fundamental principle of the new international basis.  This idea is the gist of the beautiful and sublime Note that His Holiness the Pope addressed to the whole world.  We have not gone to war to make conquests, and we have no aggressive plans.  If the international disarmament that we so heartily are longing for be adopted by our present enemies and becomes a fact, then we are in no need of assurances of territorial safety; in that case, we can give up the idea of expanding the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, provided, of course, that the enemy has entirely evacuated our own territory.

The fourth principle to enforce in order to ensure a free and peaceful development of the world after the hard times we have experienced is the free economic participation by everyone and the unconditional avoidance of an economic war; a war