24 MAY 1919, Page 2

Sir Robert Borden, who was entertained at luncheon in the

Horse of Commone on Fridarweekiirthe Empire Parliamentary Association on his departure for Canada, acknowledged the rearm tribute of our gratitude for Canadian war services which was offered by Mr. Bonar Law. He also echoed Mr. Boner Law's hopes for the useful future of the League of Nations. Before doing so, he deprecated impatient criticism of Peluso Conference deliberateness. Four monthswould not bet& longtime to be spent by one hundred and fifty M.P.'e with a few Peers, on a dozen difficult problems of the life of one nation ; and in Paris repre- sentativea of thirty-two, with inevitably divergent ideals and ambition's, had to wrestle with far more than a dozen complex problems. As to the terms imposed on Germany, they were severe but just ; by no means too onerous in relation to German ravages of neighbour States. Within the British Empire, whose bond was equality of nations, Sir Robert found the microcosm and working model of a League of Nations, which would be a larger and wider Society. The point of difference, of course, is that within the British Empire League we have a common interest, while within a universal League there must be soMetimes a clash of warring claims. Still, the hopeful attitude is sane. Even M. Clemenceau, according to the legend, tries to believe. " Every night I say to myself, ' Georges Glemenceau, you do believe in a League of Nations' ; and every morning I say to myself, ' Georges Clemeneeau, you must believe in a League of Nations.' "