The fact is we hear a great deal of neutral rights but very little of neutrals' obligations, and yet common sense and the conscience of mankind agree in laying down that, if there is any meaning in the term Community of nations^ and if there are any duties which nations owe one another more sacred and binding than others, it is the obligation to endeavour to shorter, the duration of wars, to reconcile by every means in their power the belligerents to each other, and studiously to avoid everything which could prolong the duration of hostilities. To acquire a vested interest as it were,—as Prussia did during the Crimean War,—in the prolongation of the war, to give "aid and succour" to one or both belligerents by carrying his or their goods, and so providing the sinews of war, is in direct and flagrant violation of the most sacred obligations of neutrality.
I cannot disguise from myself; and I do
