t were it possible to return to the relatively
low level of armaments in 1914, that in itself would signify an
international lowering of armaments. But then there would be no
sense in not going further and practically disarming altogether.

There is but one egress from this narrow defile: the absolute
international disarmament of the world. There is no longer any
object in such colossal fleets if the states of the world
guarantee the freedom of the seas, and armies must be reduced to
the lowest limit requisite for the maintenance of order in the
interior. This will only be possible on an international basis;
that is, under international control. Every state will have to
cede some of its independence to ensure a world peace. The present
generation will probably not live to see this great pacifist
movement fully completed. It cannot be carried out rapidly, but I
consider it our duty to put ourselves at the head of the movement
and do all that lies in human power to hasten its achievement. The
conclusion of peace will establish the fundamental principles.

If the first principle be laid down as the compulsory
international arbitration system as well as general disarmament on
land, the second one must be that of the freedom of the high seas
and disarmament at sea. I purposely say the high seas, as I do not
extend the idea to straits or channels, and I readily allow that
special rules and regulations must be laid down for the connecting
sea routes. If these first two factors have been settled and
assured, any reason for territorial adjustments on the plea of
ensuring national safety is done away with, and this forms the
third fundamental principle of the new international basis. This
idea is the gist of the beautiful and sublime Note that His
Holiness the Pope addressed to the whole world. We have not gone
to war to make conquests, and we have no aggressive plans. If the
international disarmament that we so heartily are longing for be
adopted by our present enemies and becomes a fact, then we are in
no need of assurances of territorial safety; in that case, we can
give up the idea of expanding the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy,
provided, of course, that the enemy has entirely evacuated our own
territory.

The fourth principle to enforce in order to ensure a free and
peaceful development of the world after the hard times we have
experienced is the fre