ON THE CONDITIONS OF A LASTING PEACE The considerations set out in earlier chapters have made it appear that the patriotic spirit of modern peoples is the abiding source of contention among nations.

Except for their patriotism a breach of the peace among modern peoples could not well be had.

So much will doubtless be assented to as a matter of course.

It is also a commonplace of current aphoristic wisdom that both parties to a warlike adventure in modern times stand to lose, materially; whatever nominal--that is to say political--gains may be made by one or the other.

It has also appeared from these considerations recited in earlier passages that this patriotic spirit prevails throughout, among all civilised peoples, and that it pervades one nation about as ubiquitously as another.