yeah it kind of refers to the fact that nations prior to this pact would go to war to solve issues that we now solve diplomatically, but having signed this pact they ensure that they will cease to use war as an instrument to pursue their selfish goals. The reason it does not apply to war in self defence is because they didnt want to create a document that laid out that 'you are not to go to war at all' nations should still be allowed to use force to protect themselves, but should not use it as a means of solving all problems between each other.
i think it was prob the begining of what we now know as diplomacy
hope this made it a little clearer
Anna
