Question

at the beginning of the third paragraph, the author refers to “those who believe that peace will not be attained until some super - tribunal is established” primarily to a) invoke the authority of a widely held opinion b) acknowledge an alternative perspective c) highlight a potential drawback of a recommendation d) criticize a view that he regards as overly optimistic
the nobel foundation 1929
i regret very much to hear so many people, many of my own countrymen, predicting war, stating that europe is preparing and arming for such a conflict. i rather share the opinion of those of broader vision, who see in the signs of the time hope of humanity for peace. have we so soon forgotten those four years of terrible carnage, the greatest war of all time; forgotten the millions of men who gave their lives, who made the supreme sacrifice and who today, beneath the soil of france and belgium, sleep the eternal sleep? their supreme sacrifice should inspire a pledge never again to inflict humanity with such a crime. i have said before and i wish to repeat today, with all the solemn emphasis which i can place upon my words, that western civilization would not survive another such conflict, but would disappear in the universal chaos.
it was inspiration by the memory of devastated lands, ruined homes, and the millions of men and women sacrificed in that awful struggle. it was not an ordinary treaty entered into by nations to serve some temporary advantage, like treaties of amity or alliances; it was a sacred promise between all nations and to all peoples of the world not to go to war for the settlement of their differences; to use a common phrase, to “outlaw” war; to make it a crime against the law of nations so that any nation which violate it should be condemned by the public opinion of the world.
i know there are those who believe that peace will not be attained until some super - tribunal is established to punish the violators of such treaties, but i believe that in the end the abolition of war, the maintenance of world peace, the adjustment of international questions by pacific means will come through the force of public opinion, which controls nations and peoples - that public opinion which shapes our destinies and guides the progress of human affairs.

Explanation:

The author refers to "those who believe that peace will not be attained until some super - tribunal is established" to introduce a widely - held opinion. The passage discusses peace, treaties, and the establishment of a tribunal as a means to achieve peace, and by referring to this group, the author is invoking a commonly known view.

Answer:

A. invoke the authority of a widely held opinion