lve either the vital interests, or the independence, or
honour of the two contracting States, and that they do not
affect the interests of a third Power," has served as a model
or "common form," for a very large number of conventions to the
same effect, entered into between one State and another. The
Convention of April 11, 1908, between Great Britain and the
United States is substantially of this type.

But see now the three letters which follow.

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Sir,--The League is unquestionably "a brave design." Sympathy with its
objects and some hope that they may be realised have induced myself, as,
doubtless many others, to abstain from criticising the way in which the
topic has been handled by the representatives of the victorious Powers.
Recent discussions seem, however, to render such reticence no longer
desirable.

It begins to be recognised that, as some of us have all along held to be
the case, a serious mistake was made by the Paris delegates when they
combined in one and the same document provisions needed for putting an
end to an existing state of war with other provisions aiming at the
creation in the future of a new supernational society. Two matters so
wholly incongruous in character should surely have been dealt with
separately. Whether it is now too late to attempt a remedy for the
consequences of this unfortunate combination is a question which can be
answered only by the diplomatists whose business it is to be intimately
in touch with the susceptibilities of the various nations concerned. In
the meantime, however, on the assumption that this state of things is
productive of regrettable results, I may perhaps venture to indicate,
recommending their adoption, the steps which appear to be required for
the reformation of the Treaty as drafted. My suggestions would run as
follows:--

(1) Subtract from the Treaty of Versailles, Parts I. and XIII., the
former constituting a League of Nations, the latter, in pursuance of a
recital that universal peace "can be established only if it is based
upon social justice," wholly occupied with a sufficiently ambitious
scheme for the regulation by the League of all questions relating to
"Labour" which may arise within its jurisdiction.

(2) Let Part I., with Part XIII. annexed, constitute a new and
independent Treaty; to be, as such, submitted to the Powers for further
consideration. (The opportunity might be taken of riddi