Page:Diplomacy and the War (Andrassy 1921).djvu/91

 hitherto were means and milestones in the development of imperialism. The war which we have now experienced would, however, dig the grave of imperialism if it were repeated again. But the enormity of its size and its technical means combined to make war such an immeasurable misfortune that no single country and no economic system can gain any advantage from it. No party but the anarchists could possibly desire such a calamity. Anyone who wishes to preserve the existing social order can be nothing but a friend of peace. The attempt of social democracy to strive after international solidarity and solution is certainly a factor of great importance for future peace. Nevertheless, it is an attempt which could only secure peace if it did not deny the essence of peace itself by making class hatred and class trouble one of its principles, which have since led to the destruction and the wars of the Bolsheviks. Social democracy could only achieve a lasting peace if it had discovered the secret of settling the divergent interests and sentiments which are based upon territorial and national possessions, and even social democracy is incapable of achieving this end. The wish to achieve it is not sufficient.

The great questions whether the social order based upon the principle of private ownership should continue or whether communism should be established, and the question as to what part both principles are to play in the political economy of all nations, must in my opinion be settled in accordance with the demand of local circumstances, human nature, economics, and the