Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/429

 REVIEWS 409

VII. "Resultats intellectuels." VIII. "Resultats moraux." IX. " Survivances, routines et sophismes." X. "La psychologic de la guerre." XI. "La guerre consider^e comme forme unique de la lutte." XII. "Les th^oriciens de la force brutale." XIII. "Syntheses de I'antagonisme et de la solidarity." The author is an impassioned advocate of universal peace, and in this work vigorously attacks the arguments advanced by those who believe war beneficial, or at any rate unavoidable, paying special atten- tion to the book entitled Ueber Krieg, Frieden und Cultur, by Max Jahns." In spite of the brevity caused by the treatment of so many topics, the book is very clear and vigorous in style, entertaining, full of keen observation and persuasive argumentation. The criticism is particularly sharp and telling when directed against what M. Novicow calls the "raisonnement unilateral " of his opponents. For example, nothing could be better than his exposure of the logical error com- mitted by those who defend war as an end in itself, whereas it has never been more than a means ; or extol the virtues produced by successful warfare, but are silent concerning the vices engendered by servitude ; or laud the glory of a war in defense of country, but say nothing of the dishonor involved in wanton aggression : forgetting that a con- queror implies a conquered, and that a defender presupposes an aggressor.

But in spite of these merits, the reader is at times conscious of a feeling of disappointment, not because he has received little, but because he had expected more. Slips in historical statements are rather frequent: e. g., on p. 146 occurs this statement, " Auguste ferma \t premier le temple de Janus." The argument is not strength- ened by the frequent use of strong language : e. g., Bismarck is ce hobereau; Roon, Moltke, and Bismarck are les trois copains; war is always murder, massacre, or collective assassination ; force is always brutal, etc., etc. Consistency is sometimes cast to the winds, as on p. 94, where we read : " .... Si la France renonpait a I'Alsace-Lorraine, elle aurait bientot le sort de la Pologne. Les Franpais (et tous les autres peuples) doivent revendiquer leurs droits jusqu'a la derniere goutte de leur sang." Inasmuch as opinions differ, radically and permanently, as to the rights of the several nations, this declaration would appear to make an end of the argument for universal peace. There is frequently ■ Berlin, 1893.