1 OCTOBER 1932, Page 3

Sir Eric Drummond's_ Successor _ The acceptance by the League

of Nations Council .of Sir Eric :Drummond's resignation of his • position as Secretary-General means that the League, and conse- quently the world, will have to reconcile itself to a loss the magnitude. of which can be fully appreciated only by those with some intimate knowledge of the work Sir Eric has done for the League for the past thirteen years and the place he has made himself in the field of international . co-operation. There will be other oppor- tunities of developing that theme-4he resignation does not take effect for several months yet—but the question of a successor is urgent. Various names have been mentioned, and all the signs are that, as so commonly happens, the choice will fall on a comparatively colourless candidate just because he has never done anything particular to arouse anyone's opposition. That is a totally inadequate title to election. There was never a moment when the League of Nations stood in greater need of guidance at once firm, bold and tactful. The world is none too full of men endowed with the requisite qualities, but it should be scoured till one is found so gifted. It may be hoped that our own Government will be no party to a deliberate choice of the second-best.

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