“But that is the only way out. How else can a dispute between nations be decided?”
“How then are trials between civilised individuals decided?”
“By the tribunals. But nations have no such over them.”
“No more have savages,” said Dr. Bresser, coming to my help. “Ergo, nations in their intercourse with each other are still uncivilised, and it will take a good long time yet before we come to the point of establishing an international tribunal of arbitration.”
“We shall never get to that,” said my father. “There are things which can only be fought out, and cannot be settled by law. Even if one chose to try to establish such an arbitration court, the stronger governments would as little submit to it as two men of honour, one of whom has been insulted, would carry their difference into a court of law. They simply send their seconds and fight to set themselves right.”
“But the duel is a barbarous, uncivilised custom.”
“You won’t alter it, doctor.”
“Still, your excellency, I would not defend it.”
“What say you, then, Frederick?” said my father, turning to his son-in-law. “Is it your opinion that a man who has received a slap on the face should take the matter before a court of law and get five florins’ damages?”
“I should not do so.”