30 DECEMBER 1916, Page 2

Though it is an ungrateful task, we feel bound to

warn Mr. Wilson- that he is very greatly mistaken if he thinks that all the nations of the earth will be prepared to enter into such a League. No doubt they will all consider the proposal,--as they would consider any other scheme which promised, however remotely, a result full of benefit to mankind. But there is only too good ground for believing that when the nations have considered the formation of the League in question, they- will, unless they have forgotten all the teachings of history and of past experience, be obliged to tune away from the scheme as hopelessly impracticable- This' is exactly what happened' in- 1815. Alexander of Russia, with perfect sincerity and without any arriere pens& or deeire to defeat the cause of liberty—at the time his was -one of the most radical and democretic minds in Europe, as well as the mast pacific—proposed to put an end to war for the future, and to do so by gettirT the Great Powers to pledge themselves that they would not only not fight among themselves, but would use all their strength to prevent anybody else from breaking the peace of Europe. In the preliminary discussions they actually used the President's own language and talked of a League designed to compel the nations td refrain• from war.