AN INTERESTING FORECAST
General and former Judge Roger A. Pryor, who commanded a Confederate brigade during the Civil War, recently indulged in some war predictions after premising that “it is foolish to prophecy.” He expected the fall of Warsaw, and then that the Germans would conclude a separate peace with Russia. France would come next for the same treatment. Then England would be left to face things. Judge Pryor added:
“Is England an old empire that has reached the stage that ended the history of Greece and Rome? Perhaps not. Perhaps it is not destined to go yet, and at the hands of Germany.
“But whatever happens, I think the end of this thing they call militarism will come. Whoever triumphs, the people, even of the victorious country, will demand that the nations’ means be devoted to humanity rather than war. The people are paying for this war. They are losing most, and they know it.
“As an old soldier, I can say there is nothing in war. I have seen enough of it. The world is not at a stage now where constant killing of men by their fellows can go on. This war will be the great lesson.”
Whether Judge Pryor’s forecast as to the military outcome is credible of incredible, his prediction of the downfall of militarism is within the bounds of probability. His verdict that there is nothing in war jibes with the verdict of General Grant and many great soldiers.