There is, of course, no single formula by which an
honest mind can reconcile the irreconcilable The warrior is con- sistent because he believes that war is a good thing. The pacifist is consistent because he believes that there can be no such thing as a just war. We are not consistent since, while determined to achieve victory, we do not approve of the ruth- less methods by which alone victory can be secured. Let us admit our inconsistency. Let us, while admitting it, seek only to acquire a more reasonable frame of mind. I derive, myself, some comfort from the convenient fiction that it is possible to make some distinction between the physical and the moral. I am perfectly prepared to admit that the neces- sity of victory will oblige us to commit physical actions which are indefensible in any philosophy. Yet I believe that our rulers should be able to separate the physical from the moral and to intensify each. I do not feel that they are doing so today. On ,the one hand I do not feel that they are bringing into this war that superlative of physical effort which is required. On the other hand I do not feel that they are safeguarding with sufficient rigour the moral stan- dards which at any cost must be maintained. It may well be that in this fierce physical struggle we may be forced again and again to harm the interests of small countries. But let us do so avowedly, frankly and with generosity. Let us not pretend that it is the small countries who were in the wrong. * * * *
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