A EUROPEAN FOREIGN POLICY
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sne,—I have read with great interest your article entitled " A European Foreign Policy " and your remarks concerning General Smuts's denunciation of the idea of " an armed League."
In view of the misunderstanding which his speech has created in some quarters, may I recall to your readers the following passage from a memoiandpm of the League of Nations written by General Smuts in preparation for the Peace Conference in Paris ?
" It is because of this power of the economic and financial weapons that many writers, are of opinion - that_ the- obligation for action by members of the League should not go beyond the use of these weapons. My view, however, is that they will not be enough if unsupported by military- and naval action. --A powerful military State may think that a 'sudden military-blow-will-achieve its object in spite of boycotts, provided that no greater military reaction from the rest of the League need be feared.- This fear may under certain circumstances be a more effective • deterrent than even the boycott ; and I do not think the League is likely to prove a success unless in the last'resort the maintenance of themoratorium is guaranteed by force. The obligation on the members of the League to use force for this purFose shot 1 I therefore be absolute,-but the amount of the force and the contribution from vtlie ineintibra-shonld be left -to the .recommendation of the council to the respective Goveitiments -in. each case. .It will probably be fotinct cbtorenie,nt, and even advisable, to absolve the small members of the League from the duty of Contributing military and naval forceS andto be satisfied with their-partieiptition in the boycott. .The-olaligation to take these measures of force should be joint and several, so that uiiile. au the Memberarare bound to act;, one. Or snore who are better prepared for action or in greater danger than' the rest may proceed ahead of the °them. In order, to secure world Peace I would pile up- the tliingbrs-and risks in 'front df an intending breaker of the moratorium. Should the rigours of maritime warfare be mitigated at the ,peacO and measure of freedoin- bo reAtOred to the seas in the direction contended for by Pitaident Wilson:I would advocate the power of Inn revival'Of all these 'rigours as against such a law- breaker," &e. '• - • -• This is the League that -General SmutS desired to create, and which Article 16.ofthe t'oVenant (drafted as it was in the British Foreign Office and wiffi all the expert guidance of the British Serviee Departments) was intended to bring into being. Who doubts that if it were a practical .reality today it would enable us to obtain disarmament and stable peace ?— Yours, &c., Pnr .n' NOEL BAKER. 48 South Eaton Place, S.W.1.
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