The normal profits of a business concern in the United States are six, eight, ten, and sometimes twelve percent. But war-time profits - ah! that is another matter - twenty, sixty, one hundred, three hundred, and even eighteen hundred per cent - the sky is the limit.

It is dressed into speeches about patriotism, love of country...but the profits...skyrocket.

War like any other racket, pays high dividends to the very few. The cost of operations is always transferred to the people who do not profit.

I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.

Out of war nations acquire additional territory, if they are victorious. They just take it. This newly acquired territory promptly is exploited by the few - the selfsame few who wrung dollars out of blood in the war. The general public shoulders the bill.

War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious.

Only those who would be called upon to risk their lives for their country should have the privilege of voting to determine whether the nation should go to war.