Sir J. J. Thomson was undoubtedly Cambridge's greatest scientist since
the death of Lord Rutherford, and he has been verY distinguished Master of Trinity. Wide though his interests were he had in some respects the scientist's one-track rniod. A good many years ago I was sitting next to him in the combination-room at Trinity and discussing (for some reason) Colonel House. I observed that I only knew one man who wed more instructively on international affairs generally, and tat was Dr. Benes. " Benes, Benes, Benes," said the Master, who's he? Never heard of him." It is fair to say that at that time Dr. Benes was not President of Czecho-Slovakia, and that the Master no doubt heard of him pretty often after that con- lers3tion. There are now two first-rank university posts vacant, ife Mastership of Trinity and the Wardenship of New College, ACIr 00 successor to Dr. IL A. L. Fisher has yet been chosen. The fact that M. Joseph Avenol ceased to be Secretary- General of the League of Nations last Saturday will be hailed with unaffected relief by all who hope and believe that the League in some form or other will still have an important part to play in the post-war world. Personally a perfectly agreeable character, M. Avenol has been little less than a disaster as Secretary-General, as every member of the loyal and cohesive body of international civil servants which grew up under Sir Eric Drummond would agree. Mr. Sean Lester, who will take charge temporarily of the skeleton which represents the Secretariat at the moment, can be counted on to do the little there is to be done with all possible efficiency. A quiet, but firm and decided, Irishman, Mr. Lester displayed both courage and tact in the impossible post of High Commissioner of the League at Danzig, and he will hold whatever fort there is to hold as well as anyone could.
Previous page
