Here is pictured a grim fact that the Peace cranks would do well to see
plainly. The surgeon who is operating on a cancer case cannot allow
himself to be satisfied with merely the removal of the visible growth
which is causing such present agony to the patient. He must cut and
cut deep, must go beyond even the visible roots of the disease, slice
down into the clear, firm flesh to make sure and doubly sure that he
has cut away the last fragment of the tainted tissues. Only by doing
so can he reasonably hope to prevent a recurrence of the disease and
the necessity of another operation in the years to come. And so only
by carrying on this war until the last and least possibility of the
taint of militarism remaining in the German system is removed can
the Allies be satisfied that their task is complete. Modern surgery
has through anæsthetics taken away from a patient the physical pain
of most operations, but modern War affords no relief during its
operation. That, however, can be held as no excuse for refusing to
“use the knife.” What would be said of the surgeon who, because an
operation--a life-saving operation--was causing at the time even the
utmost agony, stayed his hand, patched up the wound, was content only
to stop the momentary pain, and to leave firm-rooted a disease which
in all human probability would some time later break out again in all
its virulence? What would be said of such a surgeon is only in lesser
degree what would be said by posterity of the Allies if they consented
or were persuaded to apply the bandage and healing herbs of Peace to
the disease of Militarism, to make a surface cure and leave the living
tentacles of the disease to grow again deep and strong. But here at
least the doctors do not disagree. Once and for all the Ally surgeons
mean to make an end to Militarism. The sooner the Peace cranks and
Germany realise that the sooner the operation will be over.