Dublin Core
Title
Why the War Cannot be Final
Subject
The Cause of the War
Description
Why the War Cannot be Final is a British pamphlet intended to convince its reader that the war will not bring finality to all international conflict. The pamphlet's author, Albert Wm. Alderson, responds to the belief that the Great War will be the world's last, and argues that the war will not "be final" because its true cause has been ignored by political authorities. Alderson believes that the true root of the war is difference in language between opposing countries; until all countries are united under one common language, there will never be an end to conflict.
Alderson's pamphlet differs from common forms of political propaganda as it does not adopt an optimistic hope in the meaning and promise of war. Instead, Alderson confronts the often trumpeted notion that "never again" (3) will war so ravage the world. The implications of the pamphlet are apt as we can see from our removed vantage point that World War I did not end all European conflict, and instead actually spurred on later wreckage. His reasoning for his prophecy is uniquely centered around a specific thesis: while a unanimous language does not necessarily guarantee finality of conflict, language is "the foundation-stone...on which peace can be erected" (6).
However, despite his belief in the power of language to resolve conflict and bring unity between countries, Alderson ultimately makes an exception of racial difference (13-14). He writes that while language can form a bond despite difference in "colour," he also admits that "two countries of different colour, even if they speak the same tongue, can, in most cases, never be common to each other in the same degree as countries of the same colour" (13). He later expands his ideas to allude to a belief in racial, as well as language, hierarchy as he suggests that countries composed of races incapable of stability and progress will need "the controlling hand of the white man" (30). In his racially-charged conclusion, Alderson suggests that England should adopted an imperial attitude rooted in an attempt to "extend the English language...but not necessarily the English flag" (30).
The physical pamphlet is a small, short, lightweight, paperback book. Its black-text is placed on white/beige paper. The pamphlet, which is 31 pages long, does not have chapter breaks, but instead includes bold, underlined headings every few paragraphs or so. These paragraphs include titles such as "The Wrong Causes of the War" (3) or "Trade and everything follows the language, even intermarriage does" (7). By breaking the pamphlet into these short sections, the author serves to consistently clarify his every point as each section has a clear and delineated purpose.
Alderson's pamphlet differs from common forms of political propaganda as it does not adopt an optimistic hope in the meaning and promise of war. Instead, Alderson confronts the often trumpeted notion that "never again" (3) will war so ravage the world. The implications of the pamphlet are apt as we can see from our removed vantage point that World War I did not end all European conflict, and instead actually spurred on later wreckage. His reasoning for his prophecy is uniquely centered around a specific thesis: while a unanimous language does not necessarily guarantee finality of conflict, language is "the foundation-stone...on which peace can be erected" (6).
However, despite his belief in the power of language to resolve conflict and bring unity between countries, Alderson ultimately makes an exception of racial difference (13-14). He writes that while language can form a bond despite difference in "colour," he also admits that "two countries of different colour, even if they speak the same tongue, can, in most cases, never be common to each other in the same degree as countries of the same colour" (13). He later expands his ideas to allude to a belief in racial, as well as language, hierarchy as he suggests that countries composed of races incapable of stability and progress will need "the controlling hand of the white man" (30). In his racially-charged conclusion, Alderson suggests that England should adopted an imperial attitude rooted in an attempt to "extend the English language...but not necessarily the English flag" (30).
The physical pamphlet is a small, short, lightweight, paperback book. Its black-text is placed on white/beige paper. The pamphlet, which is 31 pages long, does not have chapter breaks, but instead includes bold, underlined headings every few paragraphs or so. These paragraphs include titles such as "The Wrong Causes of the War" (3) or "Trade and everything follows the language, even intermarriage does" (7). By breaking the pamphlet into these short sections, the author serves to consistently clarify his every point as each section has a clear and delineated purpose.
Creator
Albert Wm. Alderson
Source
McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tulsa.
2933 E. 6th St.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3123
2933 E. 6th St.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3123
Publisher
P.S. King & Son
Date
1915
Rights
This item is physically owned by The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections. Contact McFarlin Library for permission to publish or quote information from this document. The document might also be under copyright of its creator.
Format
Approx. 5" x 7" closed
Language
English
Identifier
1978.024.A42
Coverage
Great Britain
Document Item Type Metadata
Text
Title page text:
WHY THE WAY CANNOT BE FINAL
Its true and only cause.
The only way to obtain finality in armaments and war.
The deciding factor for peace or war.
The eternal enemy.
Empires and expansion.
Etc., Etc.
BY
ALBERT Wm. ALDERSON.
LONDON
P.S. KING & SON, Ltd.
ORCHARD HOUSE, WESTMINSTER
WHY THE WAY CANNOT BE FINAL
Its true and only cause.
The only way to obtain finality in armaments and war.
The deciding factor for peace or war.
The eternal enemy.
Empires and expansion.
Etc., Etc.
BY
ALBERT Wm. ALDERSON.
LONDON
P.S. KING & SON, Ltd.
ORCHARD HOUSE, WESTMINSTER
Original Format
Pamphlet