n
calling attention to them, for they thoroughly deserve it). In these
letters, which cover from the second fortnight of August to the end of
December, we see from the 25th of August onwards the evidence of a
desire for peace among the German soldiers.

We all, even those who were hottest for the fight at the beginning,
want nothing now but peace, our officers just as much as
ourselves.... Convinced as we are of the necessity to conquer,
warlike enthusiasm does not exist among us; we fulfil our duty, but
the sacrifice is hard. We suffer in our souls.... I cannot tell you
the sufferings I endure....

September 20th. A friend writes to me: "On the 20th to 25th of
August I took part in big battles; since then I suffer morally even
to complete exhaustion, both physical and spiritual. My soul finds
no repose.... This war will show us how much of the beast still
survives in man, and this revelation will cause us to make a great
step out of animalism: if not, it is all up with us!"

November 28th. (_A splendid passage where one almost hears the
voice of Tolstoi._) What are all the torments of war compared to
the thoughts that obsess us night and day? When I am on some hill
from which my view commands the plain, this is the idea which
ceaselessly tortures me: down there in the valley the war rages;
those brown lines which furrow the landscape are full of men who
are facing one another as enemies. And up there on the hill
opposite you there is, perhaps, a man who, like you, is
contemplating the woods and the blue sky and perhaps ruminating the
same thoughts as you, his enemy! This continual proximity might
make one mad! And one is tempted to envy one's comrades who can
kill time in sleeping and playing cards.

December 17th. The desire for peace is intense in every one; at
least, in all those who are at the front and who are obliged to
assassinate and be assassinated. The newspapers say that it's
hardly possible to restrain the warlike ardor of the fighters....
They lie--consciously or unconsciously. Our chaplains in their
sermons dispute the legend that our military ardor is
slackening.... You can hardly believe how such tittle-tattle annoys
us. Let them be silent, and let them not talk about things of which
they can know nothing! Or better still, let them come