Cecil Gives Views on League

bound by them—like the United Kingdom, for instance.

I cannot imagine why we should object in this country to having minorities treaties applied to our territory.

Certainly I should greatly regret the abandonment of the effort to secure good treatment for the minorities. The nations of the world have been trying to secure it for a long time. It is not, as some people think, a new invention which came into being at the time of the formation of the League of Nations. The only connection of the League is that it has accepted the duty of carrying out the new treaties, which themselves proceed from precedents centuries old. I believe it would be a serious threat to the peace of the world if this attempt were abandoned. I am sure that it would be rightly regarded as something like treachery to the principles of international progress.

I am sure that if the British people is determined to put this thing through it can be done. I am sure we have the power to do it. I earnestly hope it will be done. I hope you will not despair and I feel that if we continue victory will crown our efforts.