The Socialists seem to have two minds upon the subject
of war,—one for it, and one against. An International Socialist Congress has been held this week at Marseilles ; and a German Socialist, Herr Liebknecht, made a speech, which created such an impression that he was unanimously elected chairman. He was strongly for exchanging the war of nations for a war of classes. The only " nations " were the nation of labourers and the nation of capitalists, which includes the whole bour-
geoisie. As for nations usually so-called, if Germany attacked France, he and his brothers would rise against the German Government. This is intelligible, though we fail to see that killing Abel because he has twopence is more virtuous than killing him because he lives next door ; but, by-and-by, Herr Liebknecht became a little inconsistent. He was asked what he would do if France invaded Germany, and he replied that he was a German, and should, therefore, most decidedly fight. So there is a territorial nation after all, with a right of defending itself, which often must in- clude a right of invasion, because that is the best method of defence. Human nature, in fact, was too strong for Herr Licbknecht, who evidently was of Brigham Young's opinion. That vulgar potentate, being interrogated on the subject, replied : " If a man hits me on one cheek, I would turn the other ; but if he hits that, I would give him Hell." Herr Liebknecht's formula is more polished, but it comes to the same thing.
