WAR AS REGARDED BY VON MOLTKE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6329, 25 July 1881, Page 3

WAR AS REGARDED BY VON MOLTKE.

“ Perpetual peace is a delusion, a dream, and not even a good one at that. Mar is an element of the order of things, or dained by Providence. The noblest virtues of a man are developed during its continuance — courage and resignation, the truest performance of duty and the spirit of immolation. The soldier sacrifices his life. Without war the world would be attacked by putrefaction, and would lose itself _in materialism. I fully indorse the proposition mentioned, viz., that the gradual amelioration of manners and morals must be shown by the mode and manner in which a war is carried on. But I go still further, and believe that the instigation of morals is capable of leading us toward gaining an object which cannot he attained by the aid of a codified edition of military law. Every law presumes an authority to watch over and guide it in its execution, and it is this very authority which is wanting in regard to enforcing obedience to international compacts. We are forced to admit that human progress, as far as the mode and manner of carrying on war is concerned, has in truth followed the general amelioration of morals. An important step in this respect has been made during our days by introducing and requiring military service, so that the educated classes are compelled to enter the army. The more uncouth and unbridled elements are yet as formerly a component part thereof ; but they are not any more, as in the past, alone. Besides this, governments possess two great and important remedies to prevent the worst excess, viz,, strict discipline, to which the soldier has become accustomed during jtimea of peace, and the great care of the army administration, which provides for the maintenance of the troops while they are in the field. The most important and beneficial fact in war is its quick termination ; and in view of this fact the use of all means must be permitted, with the exception of those which must he positively condemned. Under no consideration can I endorse the declaration of St. Petersburg, that ‘to cripple the military resources of the enemy ’ is the only justifiable way of carrying on a war. No, sir, the attack must he made on all the resources of the enemy—upon his finances and railroads, upon all his stores, provisions—yes, and even upon his prestige. With such energy but with more moderation than ever before, was the late war against France conducted. The fate of that campaign was already decided two months after its commencement, and the conflicts and battles only assumed a bitter character when a revolutionary government, te the great detriment of France, prolonged the war for many months thereafter.”