The modern system of diplomacy is as vile as anything can be. Even in England it is the negation of popular government.
Man's duty to his neighbour ought to be observed as well as the harsh and pitiless laws of trade and competition.
The social conditions of our industrial towns to-day are a standing indictment of the laissez-faire system.
The great warrior is no more important than the humble toiler.
Gladstone's finance was governed by the determination to spend as little as possible. It does not seem to be so good as that of Lloyd George, viz., to be prepared to spend a great deal provided you are sure it is for the benefit of the people.
On a remark of Dr. Sarolea's in re the alleged inherent antagonism between Europe and America on the one side and Asia and Africa on the other: "Absurd! If we are to be good Europeans we must first of all be good world citizens. The Asiatic is as much our brother as is the Belgian or the American."
It is not the case that England has checked Germany's Colonial development. Germany has herself to blame—herself and destiny. But I must say that Germany had to some extent right on her side in the Morocco dispute.
The Germans ignore the fact that wherever we British go we throw our ports open to the commerce of the world.
In the autumn of 1914 my son read General von Bernhardi's book, "Germany and the Next War." In his notes on this book he drew attention to Bernhardi's frequent self-contradictions and his false philosophy. From these notes the following excerpts are taken:
Here Bernhardi flatly contradicts the biological argument he uses earlier in the chapter. Biology knows nothing of States; it sees only human beings.