Letters of a Soldier - 1914-1915 by Anonymous
page 60 of 143 (41%)
page 60 of 143 (41%)
|
felt!
What we fear most is the rain, which penetrates through everything when we are without fire or shelter. The cold is nothing--we are armed against it beforehand. . . . In spite of all, how much I appreciated the sight of this vast plain upon which we descended, lashed by the great wind. Above the low horizon was the wide grey sky in which, here and there, pale rents recalled the vanished blue.--A black, tragic Calvary in silhouette--then some skeleton trees! What a place! This is where I can think of you, and of my beloved music. To-day I have the atmosphere that I want. . . . I should like to define the form of my conviction of better things in the near future, resulting from this war. These events prepare the way to a new life: that of the United States of Europe. After the conflict, those who will have completely and filially fulfilled their obligation to their country will find themselves confronted by duties yet more grave, and the realisation of things that are now impossible. Then will be the time for them to throw their efforts into the future. They must use their energies to wipe out the trace of the shattering contact of nations. The French Revolution, notwithstanding its mistakes, notwithstanding some backsliding in practice, some failure in construction, did none the less establish in man's soul this fine theory of national unity. Well! the horrors of the 1914 war lead to the unity of Europe, to the unity of the race. This new state will not be established without blows and spoliation and strife for an indefinite time, but without doubt the door is now open towards the new horizon. |
|