The nineteen small Powers represented at the Conference protested last
Saturday against the decision of the five large Powers to allow them only five seats in all ou each of the Com- mittees, except that dealing with reparation, while the large Powers will have two seats apiece. M. Clemenceau reminded them that the five Powers, which had twelve million men under arms in November, might have arranged the settlement without taking the lesser nations into their coma& The Five would consult the Nineteen, who could be heard on any question. But the world was impatient for results, and large Committees, such as the Nineteen desired, invariably meant delay. M. Clemenceau had, he said, sacrificed his own opinions for the common good, and he urged the smaller nations to be concili- atory. if they made difficulties about procedure, the five Powers would have to begin the Committee work without them. The dissuasion cleared the air, but it illustrates one of the difficulties which will trouble a League of Nations.
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