ven Germany would swing into line. There were plans to hold a third
conference in 1914 or 1915. As we look back upon the years between 1907
and 1914, it seems hard to understand the general blindness of the world
to the certainty of the coming struggle. Armaments were piled up at a
faster rate than ever. Naval armaments also entered into the race. From
the point of view of bringing about permanent peace in the world we must
view the conferences at The Hague as having hopelessly failed.

They did accomplish something, however. Arbitration was accepted by the
nations of the world, in principle at least. Moreover, the conferences
helped the cause of international law by showing how easily
international agreements could be reached if all the nations were
honestly in favor of peaceful decisions. Some day when the present war
has taught the world the much needed lessons that the recognition of
international law is necessary to civilization, and that the nations
must join together in its enforcement, the work begun at The Hague in
1899 and 1907 will be taken up once more with larger hope of success.

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY.--1. How are ordinary laws enforced?
How is international law carried out? Why the difference? 2.
Enumerate the instances in which questions of international
law have been brought up during the present war. 3. Look up
the history of the Red Cross movement. 4. Why did the Hague
Conferences fail to attain their great objects? 5. Summarize
what was actually accomplished by the Conferences. 6. Has the
history of the Hague Conferences any lessons which will be of
value after this war?

REFERENCES.--_War Cyclopedia_ (C.P.I.), under "Red Cross,"
"Hague Conferences." See also publications of the World Peace
Foundation; _International Conciliation_ (C.P.I.); _War,
Labor, and Peace_ (C.P.I.).

CHAPTER V

INTERNATIONAL JEALOUSIES AND ALLIANCES

The years between 1870 and 1914 were marked by growing jealousies among
the great powers of Europe. All were growing in wealth and commerce, and
each looked with envious eyes upon the successes of its neighbors. In
this chapter we are going to consider some of the special reasons for
the growth of international jealousies during this period, and the
grouping of the great nations into alliances.

ALSACE-LORRAINE.--At the close of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871,
France was humiliated by being forced to give up to