Page:Emile Vandervelde - Three Aspects of the Russian Revolution - tr. Jean Elmslie Henderson Findlay (1918).djvu/265

 her industry, all attempt to submit her to a contribution, or any action directed towards isolating her.

These precautions might be indispensable against the subjects of the Hohenzollern, obstinately resolved to bind themselves to their destinies and to serve them against humanity, but they are not conceivable, indeed they would bring about a revolt of the world's democracy if we attempted to apply them to a Germany liberated.

Our conception of a peace comes from what we have just said of the manner in which we regard this War. We can conceive of no durable peace being possible while the Hohenzollerns and the Hapsburgs keep their present power. If it were imposed on the world it would only lead to extension and reinforcement of tyranny, followed by a new war, whose preparation would absorb for a generation probably the living forces of the world, and would condemn it to the most terrible material, political, and moral stagnation.