Before leaving this phase of the subject I feel that I ought to refer briefly to two other lines of argument which are sometimes used to controvert the conclusion in regard to the use of force at which I have arrived. It is often suggested, on the analogy of the way of salvation revealed in a crucified Redeemer, that the way to the world's peace will be found in the voluntary sacrifice of some martyr-nation. The theory is that, when a nation has been found sufficiently devoted to the ideals of peace to discard all its armaments and accept in quietness any injustice that might be inflicted upon it, then the times of war would be at an end. The impressiveness of such a sacrifice would, it is claimed, transform the world.
I cannot, however, discover any grounds for the hypothesis, in its unqualified form, that the voluntary submission of one nation to any injustice will banish all war. It seems to me to be a mere wild surmise.
Despite the power of heroic example io touch and change men's hearts, I simply cannot believe that in a lawless world a national act of meek submission to manifest wrong would quell the spirit of war for ey Let a fresh crisis arise within ten years, and all the restraining power of the heroic sacrifice would. be swept aside. One might as well hope that, if a father could be found who was ready to allow his child to be dnappesl, the underworld would be so startled and impressed that all baby-snatching would cease. Who could accept such an hypothesis? The restraining power of non-violent resistance is very real, and I have no wish to deny it, but it is no substitute for a framework of law and order that is at once just and strong.
But in addition to all that, I can see no hope at all of ever persuading, any nation, or even a substantial majority of any nation, to accept uch a high hypothesis and make such a venture of faith. Men will accept, and generally do accept the theory that peace can be secured by Collective Authority that unites within itself justice and strength. They will not believe, in any great numbers that peace can be secured merely by allowing justice! on all occasions to go by default.
One other argument against a League with sanctions must be mentioned,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.