Italy struck at Turkey for "honor," for prestige--for the purpose of impressing Europe. And one may hope that Europe (after reading the reports of Reuter, _The Times_, the _Daily Mirror_, and the New York _World_ as to the methods which Italy is using in vindicating her "honor") is duly impressed, and that Italian patriots are satisfied with these new glories added to Italian history. It is all they will get. Or rather, will they get much more: for Italy, as unhappily for the balance of Europe, the substance will be represented by the increase of very definite every-day difficulties--the high cost of living, the uncertainty of employment, the very deep problems of poverty, education, government, well-being. These remain--worsened. And this--not the spectacular clash of arms, or even the less spectacular killing of unarmed Arab men, women, and children--constitute the real "struggle for life among men." But the dilettanti of "high politics" are not interested. For those who still take their language and habits of thought from the days of the sailing-ship, still talk of "possessing" territory, still assume that tribute in some form is possible, still imply that the limits of commercial and industrial activity are dependent upon the limits of political dominion, the struggle is represented by this futile physical collision of groups, which, however victory may go, leaves the real solution further off than ever. We know what preceded this war: if Europe had any moral conscience left, it would have been shocked as it was never shocked before. Turkey said: "We will submit Italy's grievance to any tribunal that Europe cares to name, and abide by the result." Italy said: "We don't intend to have the case judged, but to take Tripoli. Hand it over--in twenty-four hours." The Turkish Government said: "At least make it possible for us to face our own people. Call it a Protectorate; give us the shadow of sovereignty. Otherwise it is not robbery--to which we should submit--but gratuitous degradation; we should abdicate before the eyes of our own people. We will do anything you like." "In that case," said Italy, "we will rob; and we will go to war." It was not merely robbery that the Italian Government intended, but they meant from the first that it should be war--to "dish the Socialists," to play some sordid intrigue of internal politics. The ultimatum was launched from the center of Christendom--the city which lodges the titular head of the Universal Church--to teach to the Mohammedan world what may be expected from a modern Christian Government with its back to eighteen centuries of Christian teaching.