711.6812Anti-War/10
The Chargé in Greece (Goold) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 19.]
Sir: Adverting to your circular instruction of August 16, 11 P.M., containing the text of the note concerning the signing of the Peace Pact at Paris which I duly handed to the Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs (in absence of the Minister) on the morning of August 28th, [Page 190] I have the honor to enclose copies and translations of Foreign Office note No. 9690 of August 31, in which it appears that as soon as the Chamber of Deputies convenes, the President of the Republic will request its authorization to adhere to the Treaty.
I furthermore have the honor to forward translations of articles which appeared in the Athens press concerning the signing of the treaty59 and to report that in general the signature is welcomed as the creation of another obstacle to war in the efficacy of which there is more hope than confidence.
In diplomatic circles here which may or may not reflect opinion of the respective countries, only the Italians seem to have an expectation bordering on hope that the Treaty will fail. To them it seems to be the attempt of the satiated powers to preserve what they have, nearly all of which was won by war; to make it disreputable for anyone ever to dispossess them of their vast war got gains. For the next fifteen or twenty years, so an Italian colleague of mine states, Europe will feel the fatigues of 1914–18 to such a degree that Treaty or no Treaty, there will be no danger of war between the major powers. But during this period, there will be an accumulation of wealth, a new generation will come to the front and the equilibrium will become unbalanced. Some nations will feel themselves stronger than others and will resent the possession by the others of colonies, protectorates, mandates, and influence. And, of course, these other nations will not offer to share any of their patrimony with the rising young peoples. And so a condition will arise when the growing communities will have to decide whether to submit to the arrest of their development, or fight. They will, of course, adopt the second alternative. And it is well that they will do so, for peace under such circumstances degenerates into mere stagnation whereas struggle so sharpens man’s wits and capabilities that it is positively worth the temporary destruction of wealth entailed. Good, sound von Bernhardi doctrine, clearly expounded in the General’s remarkable book which appeared sometime in 1912–13. It may be worth while to observe to what an extent such doctrine is taking hold of Italian youth.
I have [etc.]
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