The Struggle For Peace

To me war is not only the cruellest but the most senseless
method of settling international disputes. But man of peace
as I am, there is one claim which, if it were made, must, as
it seems to me, be resisted even, if necessary, by force. That
would be a claim by any one State to dominate others by force,
since if such a claim were admitted, I see ho possibility of peace
of mind or body for anyone.
Let no one suppose that resistance to such a claim would
involve the denial of the right of any nation to put forward
its grievances, its difficulties or its desires, and to have them
examined by others in a spirit of understanding and goodwill.
I admit frankly that during the past twenty years there have
been faults and failures in this direction, and that some at
least of our present troubles might have been avoided if greater
wisdom had been shown at an earlier stage.
But I believe that the lessons to be learned from these
failures have not been unnoticed and that the world, weary
of perpetual excursions and alarums, would to-day gladly
join in a new effort to rule itself more wisely if it were given
the chance.
Therefore I shall not abandon my efforts for this much
longed for Peace and I trust that my readers, whoever and
wherever they may be, if they share my ideal, will give me
their good wishes and, so far as they can, their help, in the
cause to which I am devoting myself.