Item 01: Malcolm Shore Stanley correspondence, 8 December 1916-28 October 1918 - Page 211
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 211]
Certains "Pacifists" par un français
Among the sadness of the war still rich in illusions of all kinds, there is little that has affected me more than thhe revival of certain pacifists, who since its beginning have vehemently taken part & who are opposing today all their forces to the conclusion of peace. Listen to them speaking, pure people believe that they are resting faithfully to their ideals, they do not desire - in effect they say - the continuation of the slaughter which will which will render impossible the return of all war. It is only - explain they - when the "Nations of prey" shall be incapable of harm that the world will take breath and become pure, it is absolutely useless of them to oppose any argument. There stand is taken. There brain is invaded by a phraseological mania, a sickness which has cursed and will again curse in the world more ravages than a plague. It to them has been well demonstrated by irrefutable statistics that the famous German armaments did not surpass those of other nations. It has been well carried to there attention that the English has always pretended to be "Mistress of the sea" & has put all done everything it to conserve, in consequence she has always based her will on strength & not on right, it is all very well supporting it on the map of the world proving of conquerers most relentles & finding herself unique in the field of the Entente, nothing can help, These people - who say they desire to introduce arbitration between the nations should commence by making it to rule impartially on they these souls - conduct themselves like angry men and expand themselves on injurious speeches, immediately there stands before them the question of Germany and the Germans.
The latest revelations of the policy of M. Ribot, which is not in any way different to those followed by previous govern,emts which have preceded it, has not yet opened their eyes. France herself has the right to conquer because she does so in the name of right and justice while her adversaries only do it in the name of might, there is not war more humiliating for the human spirit