But though we expect nothing dramatic, and certainly nothing silly,
to happen, the very slow progress, of affairs in Paris does give pause to all those who hope for a settlement with the League of Nations in the forefront. Here are the four chief Powers in daily consultation, and if they cannot agree how the Fourteen Pointe, which are plain enough in themselves, are to be translated into action the nature of which is also foreseen plainly enough in itself, what are we to hope
of a far larger and more unwieldy League ? We cannot have it too clear in our minds that the present consultations of Great Britain, France, the United States, and Italy are a kind of earnest and foretaste of what a League would be able to do. If little is done now, less will be done then. If we had any part in the discussions, we should be inclined to advise the Conference to take a businesslike course, cut inevitable losses, and make sure within the next few days of what can certainly be attained.
