How horrible, fantastic, incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas masks here because of a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing. It seems still more impossible that a quarrel which has already been settled in principle should be the subject of war.

Summary

This quote reflects the disbelief and frustration over the fact that individuals in a particular location are engaged in preparing for war due to a conflict occurring in a distant land between unknown parties. The speaker finds it dreadful and extraordinary that they should be involved, especially when the conflict they are preparing for has already been theoretically resolved. It highlights the senselessness and absurdity of being dragged into a war that seems both distant and already resolved.