AT ANY PRICE?

Since the always-inviting subject of "pacifism" has again presented itself at the University in a definite shape through the medium of the Debating Union, some reflection on the question is inevitable. And in any consideration there must be two phases. First, "is war the worst evil around? Assuming that war is more to be avoided than anything else, or at any rate, extremely undesirable, how may it best he prevented?"

Those who are known as "pacifists" commonly assume that the answer two first question his "Yes". As a matter of last, while most of America, and probably, of England, take this for granted, Europe obviously does not. France for example, would prefer eternal war and consequent annihilation to German encroachment. Belgium chose certain rain rather than what the world would have considered disgrace. When one assumes that the world desires peace above everything else, one does so for the academic purpose of limiting the argument.

At the same time, there is every reason to believe that a few more wars, of the scope of the World War and future wars can scarcely help becoming world wars--will work the destruction of Western civilization. If this is to be accounted worth saving, the problem is clearly to prevent wars not merely to prosecute them skilfully after they have begun. And for this purpose it will be necessary to convince the world--or a dominating majority, of the futility, the horror of modern war. In other words, the solution of the problem lies in so forming public opinion that the answer to the first question will universally be "Yes". Until the world considers war the worst evil, there will be alternatives, worse than war, which will make war seem desirable by contrast.

This is, of course, a mere outline of the situation. The means offered are manifold. One suggests pledges to pacifism. One prefers military training. The most effective means is difficult to choose. But all of these remedies must have a certain object in view--the developing of public opinion to believe that war must be avoided at all costs. One returns to the starting point. Is war to be avoided at all costs?