The Days of a Man 



D 9 i8 



Hopes 

 dashed 



Nevertheless, the outcome proved profoundly 

 disappointing, though on announcing the signing of 

 the Armistice, Mr. Wilson asserted that the nations 

 which fought together to destroy German imperialism 

 had 



. . . definitely united in the common purpose to set up such 

 a peace as will satisfy the longing of the whole world for dis- 

 interested justice, embodied in settlements which are based on 

 something much better and much more lasting than the selfish 

 competitive interests of powerful states. . . . 



There is no longer conjecture as to the objects the victors 

 have in mind. They have a mind in the matter not only, but 

 a heart also. This avowed and concerted purpose is to satisfy 

 and protect the weak as well as to accord their just rights to 

 the strong. . . . 



To the peoples who had "just come out of the 

 yoke of arbitrary government" and were "now 

 coming at last into their freedom," he held out every 

 hope of assistance. "We must hold the light steady 

 until they find themselves." 



But a deep wound heals best by "first intention"; 

 delay may fill it with alien substances. The Armistice 

 should have been immediately followed by peace and 

 food. Two matters of prime importance were the 

 demobilization of armies and the feeding of Europe. 

 To some degree, expediency as bound up in the 

 general welfare should have replaced all thought 

 of retribution and all considerations of "the just 

 anger which makes men unjust." 1 



It was a saying of Gambetta that "when war stops, 

 observation Difficulties begin." In other words, cessation of 

 hostilities may not abate the passions and purposes 

 engendered by war. The last two years constitute a 



1 Norman Angell. 



Healing 

 by first 

 intention 



Gambttta's 



