The United . States has accepted the invitation to take part
in the preliminary Disarmament Conference at Geneva. The question therefore arises how she will conduct her relations with the League. There must be some form or convention by which she can take part in the work of the League. while safeguarding her determina- tion not to be a member of it. This is a difficult but also a very important question. All members of the League are bound by the Covenant. But what sort of legality will belong to the co-operation of the United States which is not bound by the Covenant ? The Washington corres- pondent of the Times suggests that Mr. Coolidge will make it clear that America regards disarmament as a peculiarly European problem." That is all very well, but we should not give a very warm welcome to a scheme of disarmament in which America was not included. Nevertheless it is good news that America is going to Geneva. Gradually, we think, America will be drawn by force of circumstances closer and closer to the League, until she Buds that the true path of convenience and helpfulness is to become a member of it.
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