The most important news of the week in connexion with
the League is the decision of Russia to take part in the meetings of the Preparatory Committee on Dis- armament. This may mean the opening of a new era of hope or it may mean—nothing. It will be said that Russia has no common ground of discussion with any of the other Powers, having denounced their structure, their methods and their constitutions from top to bottom. It will be said that Sovietism cannot exist side by side with other polities and that Russia wants to be repre- sented at Geneva for some domestic reason which means fresh mischief for the rest of the world. For ourselves we are inclined to be hopeful for two reasons : the first is that M. Stalin and his colleagues who are now in the ascendant are inclined to moderate their opinions if only because they are no longer confident enough to despise hedging ; the second is that even if the Soviet's intentions are malign much more good than harm is likely to come from contact with the representatives of other nations.
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