EUROPE'S DYNASTIC SLAUGHTER HOUSE 67 



worse than wrong, it was folly. Imagine the clear-headed wisdom, 

 which is of itself grandeur, that in the settlement of Balkan frontiers, 

 with willingness and cordiality had furthered the cause of Servian 

 nationality, not "grudgingly or of necessity" declined territorial ag- 

 gression, and permitted — nay, invited Servia to a sea-port on the 

 Adriatic. 



Such highmindedness was not to have been expected of ruthless 

 nationalism, as yet feudal, medieval, neither civilized nor Christian. 

 What really happened was the outcome of age-old precedent, exponent 

 of piracy and brigandage, that " they should take who have the power, 

 and they shall keep who can." Such an action would (who for an in- 

 stant doubts it?) have averted the war. Idealistic? Yes. Senti- 

 mental? Yes. But it would have been something else, something bet- 

 ter by far than idealism or sentiment — it would have been clever — what 

 we rude Yankees call " smart." In general it may be said that it is 

 better to be clever than to be good, for cleverness includes morality; 

 but "though thou shouldst bray a fool in a mortar yet will not his 

 foolishness depart from him." There are all kinds of fools, but none 

 so foolish as the fool who is sure of wisdom founded upon power, and 

 not "broad-based upon the peoples' will." 



Eeturning to the subject of a correct forecast of the future, undoubt- 

 edly neither Rufesia nor France has at stake very much more than 

 losses — land, money and prestige. Though the ultimate success of 

 German arms should be complete, neither Eussia nor France need fear 

 any spoiliation that time and economy can not retrieve from the most 

 ruthless enforcement of the right of conquest. Of course France would 

 again have heavy damage exacted; but Germany would be willing 

 enough to " cry quits " with her gigantic Slavic neighbor. Both nations 

 are (to use the apt simile of iEsop) " running for their dinner" and no 

 more. Permanently to annex further French provinces would merely 

 embarrass Germany, and already she has enough discontented and 

 hostile Slavs without adding to their number. 



But between Germany and Great Britain the relations — present and 

 prospective — are and will remain until a final settlement, vastly dif- 

 ferent. These nations are both fighting " for their lives." With them 

 it is war a I'outrance, to end only in the destruction or humiliation of 

 one. As to which one this must inevitably be it needs hardly any " gift 

 of prophecy " to forecast. 



In considering the path and progress towards the inevitable, factors 

 numerous, complex, and perplexing, crowd and jostle one another de- 

 manding recognition as important or conclusive. Current journalism 

 is full of them, some occasionally suggestive, but mostly merely silly, 

 being generally based upon partial, imperfect, or erroneous information, 

 or upon prejudiced optimism. Just a few among many having real 



