_Would it interest you to know_ that the doing of the things that would insure peace forever between the United States and Japan, as well as all European nations, would at the same time end all danger from the ravages of destructive floods, stop forest fires, perpetuate our forest resources, preserve the forest and woodland cover on our watersheds, create a great national system of inland waterways, reclaim every reclaimable acre of arid or swamp and overflow land in the United States, and reduce the cost of living by doubling the agricultural production of this country within ten years? _Would it interest you to know_ that the doing of the same things would end child labor, end woman labor in factories, end unemployment, end the whole multitude of evil and vicious influences that are degenerating humanity and deteriorating the race in the congested cities of this country, and safeguard the United States against the internal as well as the external dangers that now menace its future welfare? _Would it interest you to know_ that the doing of those same things would inaugurate an era of business prosperity, based on human welfare and advancement, instead of on human exploitation, and would insure the perpetuity of that prosperity? _Would it interest you to know_ that the things which it is proposed shall be done by the United States have already been done, practically and successfully, by Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand; and that they can and will be done in this country whenever the people wake up and decide to do something for themselves instead of waiting for somebody else to do it for them. If you doubt any of the foregoing statements, _read the book_; and you will be convinced of their _absolute truth_ and you will be appalled at the magnitude of the preventable calamity that menaces the people of the United States solely because of their heedlessness, indifference, and refusal to face facts. CONTENTS CHAPTER I Page SHALL THERE BE AN END OF WAR? 1 Question may be answered in the affirmative by the United States?--Facts must be made known to the people--Nationwide educational campaign is necessary--Every individual must be aroused to action--Appalling consequences of triumph of militarism--United States must lead the world in its overthrow--Cannot be dependent for peace on coöperation of other nations--Appalling losses may result from public apathy and indifference--Necessity for national policy for flood prevention--Naval is out of balance--Other things more needed than battleships--Nationalisation of manufacture of armaments and battleships--There must be an end of private profit from such manufacture--It inspires militarism and stimulates war. CHAPTER II INADEQUACY OF MILITARIST PLANS FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE 24