20

ESSAYS IN PERSUASION

PART

the ruin brought about by this war.” Withoutthe League, President Wilson informed theSenate when he presented the Treaty to themearly in July 1919, . long-continued super-

vision of the task of reparation which Germany was to undertake to complete within the nextgeneration might entirely break down; thereconsideration and revision of administrativearrangements and restrictions which the Treaty prescribed, but which it recognised might notprovide lasting advantage or be entirely fair iftoo long enforced, would be impracticable.”

Can we look forward with fair hopes tosecuring from the operation of the League thosebenefits which two of its principal begettersthus encourage us to expect from it? Therelevant passage is to be found in Article XIX.of the Covenant, which runs as follows:

The Assembly may from time to time advise thereconsideration by Members of the League of treatieswhich have become inapplicable and the considerationof international conditions whose continuance mightendanger the peace of the world.

But alas! Article V. provides that “Exceptwhere otherwise expressly provided in thisCovenant or by the terms of the present Treaty,decisions at any meeting of the Assembly or ofthe Council shall require the agreement of allthe Members of the League represented at themeeting.” Does not this provision reduce theLeague, so far as concerns an early reconsidera-tion of any of the terms of the Peace Treaty ,