X. Seigneur De Schneider
If they are patriots, it is a new and singularly impartial kind—British on Monday, Russian on Tuesday, Canadian on Wednesday, Italian on Thursday, and so on, as orders may be got from China to Peru.—Perris, The War Traders.
XI. The Eve of the World War—The Arms Merchants
An ordinary firm may utilise all available means for securing business on profitable terms. Ordnance manufacturers, in the nature of things, adopt a similar policy; but because the transactions are with the home and foreign governments, special objections are taken to methods which find numerous parallels in ordinary commercial life. A firm must study its customers and must maintain the closest possible touch with probable requirements.
XII. The World War—The War in Europe
Great armament firms have no national or political prejudices; they are concerned not with the ulterior objects of war, but with the immediate means by which victory may be secured; and the value of such abstract ideas as justice and liberty they leave to the discussion of idle and metaphysical minds, or employ the terms as convenient euphemisms by which the real objects of statesmen may be cloaked and the energies of a people directed.—Biographer of Sir William White.
XIII. The World War—Enter Old Glory
As a result of the war, a million new springs of wealth will be developed.—Frank A. Vanderlip.
A corporation cannot live on patriotism. Our stockholders must have dividends.—George D. Baldwin.
XIV. Plus ÇA Change—
Articles against peace are written with pens made of the same steel as cannon and shells.—Aristide Briand.
XV. The Menace of Disarmament
I will challenge anybody to say that any representatives of the Bethlehem Steel Company have ever been in Washington attempting to influence legislation as to size of naval or military programs. That is not our business. Our business is to serve the U. S. Government. . . . We are here to serve you when you have decided what you want. Please do not cast any such reflections on us. It is unfair.—Eugene Grace, before the House Naval Affairs Committee, March 22, 1916.
XVI. From Konbo to Hotchkiss
I had hoped that the page of future history might record the great fact that in one spot in the Eastern World the advent of Christian civilization did not bring with it its usual attendants of rapine and bloodshed; this fond hope, I fear, is to be disappointed. I would sooner see all the treaties with this country torn up, and Japan returned to its old state of isolation, than witness the horrors of war inflicted upon this peaceful people and happy land.—Townsend Harris, first American consul-general to Japan.
XVII. Status Quo
When I rest, I rust.—Motto of Thyssen’s shops.
XVIII. The Outlook
I join with you most heartily in rejoicing at the return of peace. I hope it will be lasting and that mankind will at length, as they call themselves reasonable creatures, have reason enough to settle their differences without cutting their throats; for in my opinion, there never was a good war or a bad peace.—Benjamin Franklin.
Notes and References
