I see, Mr. President, that you too are not devoid of a sense of anxiety for the fate of the world understanding, and of what war entails. What would a war give you? You are threatening us with war. But you well know that the very least which you would receive in reply would be that you would experience the same consequences as those which you sent us. And that must be clear to us, people invested with authority, trust, and responsibility. We must not succumb to intoxication and petty passions, regardless of whether elections are impending in this or that country, or not impending. These are all transient things, but if indeed war should break out, then it would not be in our power to stop it, for such is the logic of war. I have participated in two wars and know that war ends when it has rolled through cities and villages, everywhere sowing death and destruction.
I worry that the current nationalist trend that seems to be simultaneously happening in many countries is going to lead down the long path to war. I don't see many leaders today that I think would have the diplomatic resolve to write a letter like this. I feel people are interpreting others actions in the least charitable way which causes all kinds of rifts. The deeper these rifts grow, the more likely we are to see someone ignite the spark of war. I honestly don't know the reasons, or if maybe its just my perception that has changed as I've gotten older.