“Startled by this idea, the men of the various countries have sought for a means for stopping or at least mitigating the consequences of the terrible slaughter which is menacing us. “Such are the questions that are propounded by the Congress soon to be held in Rome and in pamphlets dealing with disarmament. “Unfortunately it is certain that with the present structure of the majority of the European states, which are removed from one another and are guided by various interests, the complete cessation of war is a dream with which it would be dangerous to console ourselves. Still, some more reasonable laws and regulations, accepted by all, in these duels of the nations might considerably reduce the horrors of war. “Similarly Utopian would be the hope of disarmament, which is almost impossible, from considerations of a national character, which are intelligible to our readers.”
(This, no doubt, means that France cannot disarm previous to avenging its wrongs.)
“Public opinion is not prepared for the adoption of projects of disarmament, and, besides, the international relations are not such as to make their adoption possible. “Disarmament, demanded by one nation of another, is tantamount to a declaration of war. “It must, however, be admitted that the exchange of views between the interested nations will to a certain extent aid