WORLD PATRIOTISM
[To the Editor of TIIE SPECTATOR.] Sur,—Will you allow me to express my appreciation of Sir Evelyn Wrench's admirable article on "World Patriotism" in The Spectator of February 10th? He has given us an exceptionally clear diagnosis of the malady from which the world is suffering to-day. When he pleads for World Loyalty—not less patriotism, but more, and with a wider object—no one can quarrel with his prescription, except for the omission of an essential ingredient.
Even perfect citizens will not make a perfect State ; and perfect nations will not make a perfect world. In either case government is also necessary, and the reason is not far to seek. The nervous system in the human body sees to it that right thoughts lead to right actions in the individual man or woman. But, in the body corporate, right (collective) action does not follow from right (individual) thinking until it has been furnished with the equivalent of a nervous system ; and that equivalent is a system of government.
Without the machinery of the League of Nations not even World Patriotism will suffice "to promote international co-operation and to achieve international peace and security."
The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, S.W. 1. MsawEzz Gsauxrr.
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