LORD CECIL IN AMERICA

Temuka Leader, Issue 10450, 7 April 1923, Page 4

LORD CECIL IN AMERICA

STATES THE CASE FOR THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Lord R. Cecil in the course of the Arst League of Nations speech in America, made before the Foreign Policy Association, at New York, outlined the accomplishments of the League in the exchange of prisoners, repression of narcotic trade, and threatened disputes. The creation of a permanent court of International Justice was another. ‘‘Compare the success of the League of Nations, Council with the failure of the Supreme Council of the Allies since the peace. You may ask what I want. I am not a suppliant for American help. 1 come to tell you what it seems to me the League really is, and what it has done, and to hear from you any criticism or advice concerning its actions. I do not undervalue the immense services America has done for Europe. Has Ame-rica-done enough for herself? America rightly desires to be free from entanglements in Europe, but can she be tree from them? The United States in 1917 felt compelled to enter the war, and under the same circumstances does anyone doubt but that she-would take the same action to-day? Is it unreasonable, therefore, to suggest that the United States shouKS Interest herself in safeguarding herself against the outbreak'of another war. It is for you to answfer the question, and to say whether you see anything better than the scheme which already commended itself to 52 nations in the world. We in Europe cannot draw hack from this experiment.”