=113. War.=--It is evident that in all nations the ruler, whoever he be (the people, nobles, or king), ought to have the right to carry on war; for it is nothing else than the _right of self-defense_, and this right is the same for the nation as for individuals. War is, then, legitimate in principle; but in fact, it may be _just_ or _unjust_ according as it takes place for good or bad reasons, and sometimes for no reason at all. =114. Reasons of a just war.=--It is not easy to say in advance and in a general manner, what may be the reasons of a just war; for they vary according to circumstances; they may be all reduced to one fundamental principle, namely, the defense of the national territory when threatened. Moreover, a war may be undertaken not only in self-defense, but to protect allies when they are unjustly attacked. As for the following reasons, more or less frequently alleged as pretexts for war, good morality cannot justify them: 1. Thus, the fear of the powerful neighbor, giving, for example, as a pretext that he erects new citadels on his lands, organizes an army, increases his troops, etc., is not a sufficiently just reason for war. 2. Utility does not give the same right as necessity: for example, arms could not legitimately be resorted to in order to gain possession of a place which might suit our convenience, and be proper to protect our frontiers. 3. The same may be said of the desire to change dwelling-place, to leave marshes, deserts, in order to settle in a more fertile country. 4. It is no less unjust to make attempt upon the rights and liberties of a people under pretext that they are less intelligent or less civilized than we are. The cause of civilization is, then, not a cause for just war so long as we have not ourselves been attacked by barbarians. 5. Nor is it just to conquer a people under pretext that our conquest may be to its advantage, bring it riches, or liberty, or morality, etc. =115. Defensive and offensive wars.=--We distinguish two kinds of war, _defensive_ and _offensive_. The first consists in defending the national territory, the second, in attacking the enemy's territory. It would be a mistake to confound defensive and offensive wars with just and unjust wars, and to believe that only the defensive wars are just, and all offensive ones unjust. This distinction has nothing to do with the causes of the war, but concerns the manner of engaging in it; sometimes one's interest lies in allowing one's self to be attacked, sometimes in attacking. He who has done us injustice may very well wait for us to come to him, instead of carrying arms to us; this does not prove him to be in the right. He who, on the contrary, takes up arms to obtain reparation for an injustice or an insult, does not prove thereby that he is in the wrong. =116. Precautions and preparations.=--Even in the case of just causes, there are certain precautions and preparations necessary in order that the war be called a just one.