knew how to command and exact obedience."

The carpenter was well read. Besides the papers and pamphlets of "the
Idea," he had also read on stray sheets the views of Michelet and other
liberal actors on the stage of history.

"We are going to make war on War," he added. "We are going to fight so
that this war will be the last."

This statement did not seem to be expressed with sufficient clearness,
so he recast his thought.

"We are going to fight for the future; we are going to die in order
that our grandchildren may not have to endure a similar calamity. If
the enemy triumphs, the war-habit will triumph, and conquest will be the
only means of growth. First they will overcome Europe, then the rest of
the world. Later on, those who have been pillaged will rise up in their
wrath. More wars! . . . We do not want conquests. We desire to regain
Alsace and Lorraine, for their inhabitants wish to return to us . . .
and nothing more. We shall not imitate the enemy, appropriating
territory and jeopardizing the peace of the world. We had enough of that
with Napoleon; we must not repeat that experience. We are going to fight
for our immediate security, and at the same time for the security of
the world--for the life of the weaker nations. If this were a war
of aggression, of mere vanity, of conquest, then we Socialists would
bethink ourselves of our anti-militarism. But this is self-defense, and
the government has not been at fault. Since we are attacked, we must be
united in our defensive."

The carpenter, who was also anti-clerical, was now showing a more