User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 439: Albareth Empire, Review./@comment-5969537-20150610014537/@comment-24546844-20150610015741

More than afraid of an all out war between the countries, Makarov was afraid of his guild being targeted because of Lumen Histoire. That would mean it was going to be FT vs the 730 guilds and only then the rest of Ishgar would join. They would have a clear target and probably a good plan to attack without atracting much atention before getting their hands in LH. And if they were sucessful it would be gg.

Yes, even if they have the numeric disavantage, there's a chance for Ishgar to win, but not for FT alone like how the event would probably go at first. Also, Makarov didn't have the time to ward the whole country of the outside threat that could attack at anytime. That's why he disbanded and went there to stall aas much as he could, so Ishgar could buld some defensees. My guess s that he aalready warned the wizard saints about this.