And this fact gave the war its meaning. The invasion of Belgium changed
the whole face of affairs. As by a lightning flash the issue was made
plain: the issue of the sacredness of law; the rule of the soldier or
the rule of the citizen; the rule of fear or the rule of law. Germany
stands for army rule. This was made clear when, a year ago, she passed
under the yoke at Zabern. However devious her diplomacy in the past,
Britain stands today for the rule of law. The British soldier is the
servant of the British people, not their master.
The highest conception of human relations is embodied in the word law.
Law is the framework of civilization. Law is the condition of security,
happiness, and progress. War is the denial of all law. It makes scrap
paper of all the solemn agreements men and nations have established for
their mutual good.
The rape of Belgium made scrap paper of international law. The sowing of
mines in the fairways of commerce made scrap paper of the rights of
neutral nations. The torture of the Belgian people made scrap paper of
the rights of non-combatants.
War may be never righteous, but it is sometimes honorable.
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