LORD CECIL AND THE LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 262, 5 November 1930, Page 6

LORD CECIL AND THE LEAGUE.

Viscount Cecil's work for the League of Nations has teen recognised by the formation of a committee, with the cordial support of the three political party leaders, for the purpose of presenting him with his portrait with the hope that it will 'become a public possession in the National Portrait Gallery. In a. joint letter Mr. Mac Donald, Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Lloyd George say that "it has fallen to Lord Cecil to devote himself in a single-minded effort to strengthen the League and promote an intelligent understanding of its work among all classes of his fellow citizens." The idea of the League was first euggested in an article in the "Contemporary Review" for November,' 1914, by Mr. Aneurin Williams, M.P., entitled "Proposals for a League of Peace and Mutual Protection Among Nations.' Mr. Williams proposed that all peace-loving nations should form "a definite league among themselves to settle by peaceful meane all disputes which may arise among themselves, and that in the event of any of them ibeing attacked —Whether from outside the league or toy some treacherous member of it—all should stand together for mutual protection." He suggested the name "Society of Nations," which has been adopted as the official designation of the League. The suggestion was warmly' supported by Lord Robert Cecil, as he then was, and he communicated with President Wilson and other leading men. The Covenant of the League was drawn up by Lord Robert Cecil, President Wilson and General Smuts. At the First Assembly Lord Robert represented South' Africa, and in one of his speeches at this Assembly he referred to the fact that he,, the son of the Prime .Minister who conducted the war against the Boers on behalf of'the British Empire, had been chosen as a substitute for General Smuts, who was one of the most redoubtable and successful commanders of the Boer forces. His work for the League has beea mainly in the sphere of disarmament, but he has given support to all its activities, especially where they concerned the welfare of women and children. More-of a prophet, perhaps, than a statesman, he influenced audiences by his intense sincerity. A writer describes him as having a stooping figuifc, awkward .but somehow convincing, gestures, a faint air of diffidence, with tricks of hesitation in his speech, but with crushing sincerity and a warm, transfiguring smile. He has been a joint-president of the League of Nations Union since 1919 and has been untiring in his efforts to promote the work of the Union. Next to President Wilson, 'the League probably owes more to Lord Cecil than to any other single statesman. He has given- additional lustre even to the great name he bears. —W.M.