Windmills: A book of fables — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Windmills: A book of fables
John Stuart Mill · en
(3) Upon the declaration of peace the fleets of the hostile nations
are to be collected and sunk, the guns and ammunition of the various
disbanded armies having first been laded in them. Neutral nations
will then be invited by us to destroy their fleets and disband their
armies.
(4) Nations in future will have no high political relations with each
other except through a central government.
(5) Recognising the natural pugnacity of the human race and its
love of spectacular effect, we suggest that in future nations which
arrive at a complete misunderstanding should, with the consent of the
central government, declare war on each other for a period of not
less than one week and not more than one month, the nations to place
in the firing line only the incurably diseased, the incorrigibly
criminal, the lunatic and the imbecile, and all of those convicted of
exploitation and profit-sharing.
(6) Not more than two thousand men are to be employed on either side,
and the sphere of operations is to be narrowly limited. If desired,
and to encourage a knowledge of the horror of war, we suggest that
such wars be paid for by admitting spectators at a price.
(7) Wars are only to take place in August.
(8) Naval war is to be prohibited altogether as too barbarous. The
central government will maintain an armed fleet for the suppression
of pirates.
(9) Weapons and machines designed for the destruction of human life
are only to be manufactured by the central government.
(10) Acknowledging that follies do not die easily and that nations at
war will always desire territory as a trophy, we are willing to place
the island at the service of the central government as the prize to
be fought for. It can always be found by wireless.
(11) We submit that there shall be no discussion of the terms of
settlement until the central government is set up and a proper
tribunal is constituted to deal with all claims. The first step in
the interest of parties is disarmament, and upon that we insist.
(Signed) IGNATZ SIEBENHAAR.
ULTIMUS SAMWAYS.
XVII: PEACE
This manifesto was transmitted by wireless to all parts of the world.
It was published in the newspapers of America, and therefore could
not be suppressed by the various National Committees for Keeping the
Public in the Dark. Ultimus received invitations to all the capitals
of the belligerent nations. He said that if they had anything to say
they could say it by wireless. Meanwhile if nothing was said the Fatter
fleet would be destroyed within a week: the Fattish fleet immediately
after it: and the various ports and capitals would one by one meet the
fate of Bondon.