War
by William Graham Sumner
e Monroe Doctrine is an exercise of authority by the United States over a controversy between two foreign states, if one of them is in America, combined with a refusal of the United
ates to accept any responsibility in connection with the controversy. That is a position which is sure to bring us into collision with other States, especially because it will touch their vanity,
what they call their honor-or it will touch our vanity, or what we call our honor, if we should ever find ourselves called upon to "back down" from it. Therefore it is very true that we must
pect to need a big navy if we adhere to the doctrine. What can be more contrary to sound statesmanship and common sense than to put forth an abstract assertion which has no definite
lation to any interest of ours now at stake, but which has in it any number of possibilities of producing complications which we cannot foresee, but which are sure to be embarrassing
hen they arise!
What has just been said suggests a consideration of the popular saying, "In time of peace prepare for war." If you prepare a big army and navy and are all ready for war, it will be easy to go
war, the military and naval men will have a lot of new machines and they will be eager to see what they can do with them. There is no such thing
nowadays as a state of readiness for
war. It is a chimera, and the nations which pursue it are falling into an abyss of wasted energy and wealth. When the army is supplied with the
latest and best rifles, someone invents a
new
Select the correct answer.
What is the central idea of the passage?
A.
OB.
○ C.
O D.
A nation cannot expect peace by making preparations for war.
A state of peace will always lead to a state of war.
War is essential for the advancement of human society.
War is beneficial only to arms and weapons manufacturers.