33. The Safety of Europe’s Borders
In the Project for Perpetual Peace in Europe, Charles-Irénée Castel de Saint-Pierre envisions protections for the borders of Europe based on the mutual support of the associated members of the Union. Each nation would maintain its own troops, but they would be made available to allies.
For the security of the Union, the Tsar would fortify all the borders close to the Princes who would not belong to the Union, and would maintain considerable garrisons composed of troops from the unified sovereigns.
If any neighbour should show unusual mobilisation, the Union would arm itself proportionally on that border, with one-third more troops than the neighbour. And lest the troops of the neighbouring sovereigns become more accustomed to war than the Union’s troops, should these Princes make war, the Union will offer mediation, arbitration, and security for the current contentions, and will side with the party which accepts.
All will agree that in order to keep abreast of any new mobilisations, there will be ambassadors and residents dwelling within one another’s countries.
The Emperor of the Turks will keep the same manner of conduct at the borders he shares with the Princes, who have not entered into the Union.
Charles-Irénée Castel de Saint-Pierre, Project for Perpetual Peace in Europe (1713).
Read the free text in the original language (1713 edition, volume I): http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k86492n?rk=21459;2
Read the free text in the original language (1713 edition, volume II): http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k864930?rk=42918;4