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Sovereignty, Independence and Equality
in a League of Nations

BY

W. T. S. STALLYBRASS, M.A.(Oxon)

FELLOW AND VICE-PRINCIPAL OF BRASENOSE COLLEGE, OXFORD,
OF THE INNER TEMPLE, BARRISTER AT LAW

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TH

PREFACE

HE idea of a League of Nations has now taken firm root. The spade

work has been done. Leading statesmen of every country, in eloquent and glowing words, have proclaimed their adherence to the movement for its constitution after the war. It has extorted even the tribute paid to vice-hypocrisy. The seed has been sown. What manner of fruit it will bear will depend upon the knowledge and patience and care with which it is tended in its early growth.

The first task that lay upon those who believed that, through the co-operation of civilized States within a League, the world might win some respite from war and the

threat of war, was to evangelize-to hammer away at their theme and announce their belief, in season and out of season, until a great body of opinion took shape, touched with their enthusiasm and filled with their faith. Both the objects at which the League aims and the efficacy of the League to attain those aims now met with a wide (if not a general) acceptance. The first task is accomplished.

The French say that our whole career depends upon our first step. But in the case of a League of Nations mere acceptance of the principle will not in itself guarantee success. The foundations must be truly laid. That can only be if the statesmen of the world bring to bear all the knowledge and ability of which they are possessed on settling the constitution of the League. Hitherto, with the exception of President

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