Sir Austen welcomed the Polish resolution as an avowal of
aims, but the British Empire could accept no? more commitments under it or the Protocol. They might lead to the dissolution of that smaller, British, -League of Nations. Incidentally he dealt with the accu- sations of the smaller nations against the Great Powers who are suspected of settling affairs at private meetings.. His speech evoked great approval and very little resent- ment even from those whom it could not wholly please, and it has been welcomed generally throughout the Empire as putting the British case admirably. Sir George Pearce, another representative of the Empire, aptly compared compulsory obligations in international affairs with the compulsion that he had seen in operation in industrial difficulties, where it was not a success. Dis- armament was discussed on Tuesday. The tone was one that should encourage the Preparatory-Commission to set to work again on its difficult and immensely important task. M. Paul-Boncour, representing a country that refused to take part in the Naval Limitation Conference, denied that its failure should discourage the Commission. * *
