How would you interpret the last sentence?
I think it means ‘but both of the sides don’t stop fighting, so there is a war’.
What do you think?
Thanks. It’s from A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (Chapter 9).

the context:
"War is not won by victory. What if we take San Gabriele? What if we take the Carso and Monfalcone and Trieste? Where are we then? Did you see all the far mountains to-day? Do you think we could take all them too? Only if the Austrians stop fighting. One side must stop fighting. Why don't we stop fighting? If they come down into Italy they will get tired and go away. They have their own country. But no, instead there is a war."

Question

How would you interpret the last sentence?
I think it means ‘but both of the sides don’t stop fighting, so there is a war’.
What do you think?
Thanks. It’s from A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (Chapter 9).

the context:
"War is not won by victory. What if we take San Gabriele? What if we take the Carso and Monfalcone and Trieste? Where are we then? Did you see all the far mountains to-day? Do you think we could take all them too? Only if the Austrians stop fighting. One side must stop fighting. Why don't we stop fighting? If they come down into Italy they will get tired and go away. They have their own country. But no, instead there is a war."

Answer

Gordon, the way to interpret this is to treat this quote in terms of "dream/reality".  The "no" is best interpreted as "No, what I described as my dream has not taken place in reality."  A dream is not meant to be a logical argument.  So do not try to apply the logic of "the obverse of A is B".

Answer

Think of men at war: fatigued, disillusioned, angry.  That's the point.  That's what Hemingway is trying to portray.