wisdom of the politics of the books, the excellent intentions of the heads of States, and the misery and degradation of their peoples, a fraternity of the peoples of Europe, against their mutual animosity. 'The Society of the Peoples of Europe' may well seem to be but a term of derision—an irony to express more pointedly the mutual distrust of the nations of Christendom.
The relative state of the Powers of Europe is in itself a state of war; let that be granted. Mutual engagements are entered upon. There is a lack of effective guarantees for their observance. Thus it is that each treaty, which from its very nature is merely partial and between some only of these Powers, is rather a short-lived truce than a true peace—is a provocative to war as soon as a change of circumstances shall have given fresh strength to claims of ambition or of right. Nor must it be forgotten that the public law of Europe has not been established or authorized by consent; it is devoid of general principles; it is ever changing according to time and place; its rules are full of contradictions which make it a prey to 'the right of the strongest'. In this condition of things reason is denied its sway. There is no trustworthy guide where things are so doubtful and hazardous. Reason may be excused for bending and conforming itself to selfish interest; and from the sway of selfish interest wars will continue to be unavoidable. And yet each in his own mind would be just, but for circumstances, There is a general sense of insecurity, for harmony has not been attained in the ordering of the interests and government of the several States themselves, much less between State and State. 'Voilà les causes générales et particuliéres qui nous unissent pour nous détruire, et nous font écrire une si belle doctrine sociale avec des mains toujours teintes de sang humain.'
To know the causes is to know the remedy, if there is one, We all see that there can be no society without a community of
