I

THE TREATY OF PEACE

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perate, Revolution offers no prospect of im-provement whatever. There may, therefore,be ahead of us a long, silent process of semi-starvation, and of a gradual, steady loweringof the standards of life and comfort. Thebankruptcy and decay of Europe , if we allowit to proceed, will affect every one in the long-run, but perhaps not in a way that is strikingor immediate.

This has one fortunate side. We may stillhave time to reconsider our courses and to viewthe world with new eyes. For the immediatefuture events are taking charge, and the neardestiny of Europe is no longer in the hands ofany man. The events of the coming year willnot be shaped by the deliberate acts of states-men, but by the hidden currents, flowing con-tinually beneath the surface of political history,of which no one can predict the outcome. Inone way only can we influence these hiddencurrents,—by setting in motion those forcesof instruction and imagination which changeopinion. The assertion of truth, the unveilingof illusion, the dissipation of hate, the enlarge-ment and instruction of men’s hearts and minds,must be the means.