Page:Scott Nearing - The Germs of War (1916).djvu/14



There are social differences and differences in ideals. Yes, and there are differences in race, in language, and in religion. But here are no necessary causes of war. They are handy tools to use after war has been declared. They are handy instruments for the development of hatred and fear. But the men of different race, nationality, language, and religion, work side by side in American mills, and live side by side in American towns. In the second generation, they go side by side up the aisle of the church, and are pronounced man and wife. And all of this without any more hard feeling than is found among people having the same race, nationality, language and religion. Even the people that have been taught to hate one another in Europe get along very well together in America. They live in the same neighborhoods and send their children to the same schools.

Differences in race, nationality, language and religion do not make wars in the Twentieth Century. They help, but they are not at the bottom of the trouble. The germs of war are not here.

There are political causes of war.

The army and navy is a branch of the political government, and the army and navy wants war.

Men get tired of uselessness. "Here we are these many years," they complain, "doing nothing. We have been educated and equipped for war. We are tired of just showing off; we want the real thing." One of the great militarists of Europe is reported to have said regarding the army, "It is just like a big machine. It gets rusty if you do not use it."

Satan gloats over idle hands. Swaggering officers and gossiping army and navy circles are a constant menace to the peace of any nation.