20 SEPTEMBER 1935, Page 1

addressed to the people of en Pr a nce, T hat was

dae amv message gne cleverslhyarp the dilemma that g to perplexes them. It is to suggest that those countries t which feel themselves, aggrieved by the Peace Treaties will see in the action of the League an unalterable deter- mination to constitute itself as a permanent obstacle to any change in the status quo ; that its inelasticity will be palpably demonstrated ; and that by compelling Italy to detach herself from so fixed a system she will be driven to the side of those who insist on revision. It is a plausible and insidious argument, but one which falls to the ground if Sir Samuel Hoare's interpretation of the functions of the League be accepted, showing it as an institution which cannot tolerate unilateral action, still less war, but is prepared to face the responsibility of dealing with the economic needs of its members. If Italian aggression prevails the League will be useless for conserving Treaties ; if the League prevails, there will be nothing it cannot hopefully attempt.

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