General and former Judge Roger A. Pryor, who commanded a Confederate
brigade during the Civil War, recently indulged in some war predictions
after premising that “it is foolish to prophecy.” He expected the fall
of Warsaw, and then that the Germans would conclude a separate peace
with Russia. France would come next for the same treatment. Then England
would be left to face things. Judge Pryor added:
“Is England an old empire that has reached the stage that ended the
history of Greece and Rome? Perhaps not. Perhaps it is not destined to
go yet, and at the hands of Germany.
“But whatever happens, I think the end of this thing they call
militarism will come. Whoever triumphs, the people, even of the
victorious country, will demand that the nations’ means be devoted to
humanity rather than war. The people are paying for this war. They are
losing most, and they know it.
“As an old soldier, I can say there is nothing in war. I have seen
enough of it. The world is not at a stage now where constant killing
of men by their fellows can go on. This war will be the great lesson.”
Whether Judge Pryor’s forecast as to the military outcome is credible of
incredible, his prediction of the downfall of militarism is within the
bounds of probability. His verdict that there is nothing in war jibes
with the verdict of General Grant and many great soldiers.