Page:Diplomacy and the Study of International Relations (1919).djvu/182

 Modus vivendi, Ratification, Adhesion, and Accession; a chapter on 'Mediation'.

6. (a) Frederick the Great, L'Histoire de mon Temps.

The interest of the State, said Frederick, ought to serve as the rule to sovereigns in their regard for treaties and alliances. Alliances may be broken: (1) when the ally fails to fulfil his engagements; (2) when the ally is thinking of deceiving you, and there remains to you no resource except to anticipate him; (3) when une force majeure overwhelms you, and constrains you to break your treaties; and (4) when there is a lack of adequate means to continue war.

The word of a private person (un particulier), Frederick says, may involve only one man in misfortune, whereas that of Sovereigns may bring calamities to whole nations. 'The question, therefore, is reduced to this, whether it is better