Excerpt from Chariots of Fire Looking over the files of newspapers since the beginning of August, it is pathetic to see how many of our anticipa tions of a speedy victory have been falsified, and how many cocksure headlines, even in the sanest paper testify that the wish is father to the thought. But there is nothing more pathetic than to read of the hopes of moral conquest with which we reassured our consciences. This was the War to end Militarism; the Last War, most frequently the War against War. It is plain that the desire for this was as sincere as it was general. German papers buoyed up their readers with the same promise. How different is the tone to - day We have seen more clearly what war means and we find honour billeted with some menacing problems for its bedfellows. Italy, chivalrous nation though she really is, may join in when it is clearer who will be victorious, and it is her own interests she will seek. Japan has aroused anxious questionings by her apologia for retaining Tsing-tau and by the pressure she has put upon China while other hands were occupied. Finland seems to find it difficult to accept Russia as one of the knights-errant of outraged nationality. Serbia has suffered with a noble courage that must of itself bring atonement; but who can be sure that the best elements in the nation will guide her diplomacy 9 The kind of bait offered to the other Balkan States to draw them into the struggle arouses some misgiving as to the influences which will dictate a settlement. Worst of all, we begin to suspect the existence within ourselves of exactly the same possibilities for evil as we fear in others. Is our sense of honour stronger than our self-interest Is there any strong assurance that we shall suppress the tendencies and policies in Britain which help to keep war smouldering on Military victory may bring moral defeat. That is why our journalists are less confident. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.