WHAT IS CULTURE?
Socialism denies that war aids the dissemination of culture. The nations organised for bloodshed suspend their interests in civilisation. Devastation and misery is the evidence of war. Not culture, but the debasement of morals; not refinement, but the suspension of the arts, follows on the clash of arms. Culture, in current speech, may be taken as the "genius" of the race, a vague state of the collective mind, striving towards a higher destiny. It depends essentially upon the free passage of opinion between diverse nationalities, which constitutes the intellectual life of civilised peoples. It is not the product of a nation's mentality, apart and distinct from foreign thought. In war, every element in culture contributing to human welfare, is subordinated to the desire for victory. The Socialist believes that by the partnership of men human welfare is best advanced. By conquest, by victory, nations do not prove their mission to overlord peoples speaking another language, and having institutions of their own. They prove their economic strength and sow the seeds of future wars.
ARE THERE ANY BRITISH MILITARISTS?
The average Englishman believes that Germany is the natural home of militarism. He does not see that the British militarist school deliberately pursues an elaborate campaign for the conquest of Britain. The average Englishman contends that Prussian militarism is due to certain vital differences between the German character, and the character of other nationalities. He argues that the Prussian Junkers, the German ruling class, hold ideas that are not shared by the ruling class in any other nation. He holds it to be impossible that the conception of iron discipline for the common people that marks the Prussian militarist, could in any way gain acceptance or application in Britain, or among her Allies. Yet the progress of the Great War has shown that modern nations cannot make war without adopting the Prussian model of military organisation. War is no longer an affair engaging small numbers. Waterloo was fought and won between sunrise and sunset. Now a battle may last for half a year. And all the nation makes war. Germany foresaw that modern war is only limited by the capacity of modern industry. Every nation is compelled under
page ten
