(2) We may spread popular knowledge of the evils of war.  It is incredible that this barbarous method of deciding disputes could be continued if the people generally had a lively realization of its cost in pain, money, and degradation.  Already many societies exist for the diffusion of literature on the matter, [Footnote:  And of course for other work in the direction of peace.  The oldest such organization in this country is the American Peace Society.  The Association for International Conciliation, founded in Paris by Baron d’ Estournelles de Constant, in 1899, has branches now in all the important countries.  Lately we have Mr. Carnegie’s endowments for international peace] conscientious editors of journals and newspapers use their columns for peace propaganda, public schools teach children the evils of war, ministers use their pulpits to denounce it.  All this, effort must be pushed in greater degree until a general public sentiment is aroused that will insist on the peaceful settlement of all international difficulties.

(3) Indirectly, too, education and association can make war more and more unlikely.  We can create a greater knowledge of and sympathy with other nations.  We can to considerable extent train out pugnacity, quick temper, resentfulness, and train in sensitiveness to suffering, sympathy, breadth of view.  All such moral progress helps in the war against war.  We can encourage the interchange of professors and scientists between countries, increase the number of professional and industrial international organizations.  The International Socialist party, with its threatened weapon of the general strike against war, may actually prove to be- whether we like it or not the most efficient of all forces.  The International Federation of Students (Corda ratres), founded at Turin in 1898, with its branches in all civilized countries, may be of great use.  A censorship of the press to exclude all jingoistic and inflammatory utterances may at times be necessary.  It is even questionable whether uniforms and martial music ought not to be banished for a while, until the habit of peaceful settlement becomes fixed.

(4) Politically, we must make our public policies so high and unselfish that other nations cannot justly take offense.  Most wars are provoked by national greed or selfishness, lack of manners, or the breaking of treaty obligations.  The United States, it must be confessed, has to some extent lost the respect and trust of other nations for its high- handed methods and disregard of treaties.  Congress is allowed to modify or abrogate any treaty without consultation with the other nation involved; and we have what many critics deem acts of grave dishonor upon our record. [Footnote:  For example, the recent abrogation of our long-standing treaty with Russia, without her consent, which has forfeited her friendship; or what seemed to many the violation of our treaty-promise to England by Congress in its exemption, now repealed, of American coastwise shipping from canal tolls.  It would be well to engrave over the entrance to the Capitol the Psalmist’s words:  “He that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not.”] ways we have needlessly offended and insulted other nations.  The voter must watch the conduct of parties and work to elect men who, refraining from provoking other nations, will aim for peace.