CHAPTER V

LEAGUE OF NATIONS--ITS SCOPE AND AIM

_Just so while it is highly important to have
controversies between nations settled by arbitration
rather than by war, and the growth of sentiment in favour
of that peaceable method of settlement is one of the
great advances in civilisation of this generation; yet
the true basis of peace among men is to be found in a
just and considerate spirit among the people who rule our
modern democracies, in their regard for the rights of
other countries and in their desire to be fair and kindly
in the treatment of the subjects which give rise to
international controversies. The basis of peace and order
is "the self-restraint of the thousands of people who
make up the community, and their willingness to obey the
law and regard the rights of others._"--ELIHU ROOT.


No League of Peace, however, can be sufficient guarantee against a power
which is highly organised, vigorous and united, if it desires war.
Either such a power must be so defeated and so weakened as to be unable
to renew hostilities, or its character so altered as to make it give up
the desire for aggression and domination. As Mr. Gerard points out, "It
is only by an evolution of Germany herself towards Liberalism that the
world will be given such guarantees of future peace as will justify the
termination of this War. Liberalism in this sense does not mean violent
revolution, but does mean a spirit opposed to that which animates the