Ever heard of this?
It's still in its testing stages, but it might explain this phenomenon. Even though it's been in literature for more than fifty years, now, Dutch physicians are conducting a mass study, right now. It seems to be highly effective against pseudomembranous colitis which is caused by an overflow of Clostridium difficile in the gut flora with the only therapy being a high dose of Metronidazol or Vancomycin orally. However, a stool transplant from a healthy donor has been suspected of being at least 80% successful compared to like 40% success rate of the antibiotic therapy. It might even work on Morbus Crohn or Ulcerative colitis.
Considering that the gut flora is responsible for synthesizing many different substances, most of which dispersing into the blood stream affecting bodily functions, it seems reasonable that a change in its natural composition (like administering antibiotics) might affect certain aspects of the human metabolism, probably leading to late-onset effects like obesity and metabolic defects.
Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.
History doesn't repeat, it rhymes.
"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house." -- George Carlin