Lord Robert Cecil, following the Prime Minister, told the House
that the League of Nations would probably admit the friendly neutrals soon after the Covenant had been signed by the Allies. Spain had already asked for admission. As a member of the Supreme Economic Council, Lord Robert Cecil went on to describe the economic condition of Central Europe in the gloom- iest terms. Famine prevailed and industry was at a standstill. Poland, for example, had no means to buy cotton for her mills. and the Russian market, where she used to exchange her cloth for corn, was closed to her. Many of the European coalfields were inactive, though coal was urgently needed everywhere. Trade could not revive until a definite Peace had been reached. The blockade now affected only Germany and disturbed Hungary, and would be removed as soon as that could be done with safety. But the raising of the blockade would not supply the motive-power. It was to the interest of the Allies and of America to restore industrial conditions in Central Europe, for the whole fabric of our civilization was in danger.
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