The papers of this number of the Commonwealth Review are the contributions of University men. They aim to throw light on the problems just ahead in the course along which the events day by day of the unparalleled crisis of world war are hurrying the nations of the earth. University environment and habitude afford a vantage ground for discerning some, at least, of the factors of international reconstruction.

The thorough humbling of German autocracy will eliminate what has been the insuperable obstacle in the way of the advancement toward international good will and mutuality. The attainment of this moral intent and self-control among nations. is the mainspring of the hope that inspires the fortitude and unity of the Allies as they make their incalculable sacrifices. Stability and poise in the longed-for community or organization of nations must have the best security or guarantee while facility, habit and structure are being developed to give natural firmness and efficiency in the achievement of peaceful adjustment of the evolving international relations. For this purpose of insuring the integrity of the league of nations the sanction of force is initially a prime requisite. Unfortunately no general preliminary habituation among the leading nations in peaceful arbitraments has been had. Germany's attitude has blocked even the most incipient of such development. Her course of preparation during the last generation to spring upon her intended victims was well concealed, yet enough of the sinister intent was evident to make plans of disarmament seem too hazardous; nor were the spirits of the nations generally so chastened as to manifest zeal in disinterested cooperation for human welfare.

Now all is changed. The last three years and more of experience of the utter futility, savagery and woes of war as a means of arbitrament of issues between nations has created among all peoples a sentiment of heartiest support of peaceful procedures with the sanction of force to consummate them.

Another primal source of the mortal strife and destruction involving the nations the progress of thought in recent years has clearly identified. Much as an effective international reconstruction waits upon the humbling of German autocracy and the substitution of firmly established and effective peaceful methods for savage war, it also requires the transformation of the unmoral and irresponsible nationality into a moral and responsible agency. Nationality invested with absolute sovereignty. is a corrosive agency of all peaceful international relations. Increasingly vital is it that nationality becomes possessed of an ethical bent and faculty as peoples the world over are finding the abundant life more and more profoundly in nationalism. Truly, the world's ills cannot be cured without redeeming nationality to the loyal service of humanity.

Repressed aggregations of peoples everywhere are becoming sensitized with aspirations for nationality. The enlargement and ennoblement of the life of the human individual of today seems thus to find expression. In the break-up involved in this world crisis, therefore, the largest measure of human weal is due from the free and wisely-directed play of the disposition of national self-determination. A vigorous activity in real cultural progress in all climes and among all races will thus be insured.

The American nation has in the century past, under what seem providential conditions, been favored for attaining the strength and grace of nationality needed for leadership in the great movement of international reconstruction. For this movement the war sounded the tocsin, prepared the mood and opened the way. A fully aroused and consecrated America should lead, persuade and entreat all peoples to come up on the rising plane of international cooperation in human welfare.

The Sanction of Force in a

League of Peace

By JAMES D. BARNETT

The plan of the League to Enforce Peace, formulated in 1915, includes these three articles in the constitution of a league of nations:

"First: All justiciable questions arising between the signatory powers, not settled by negotiation, shall, subject to the limitations of treaties, be submitted to a judicial tribunal for hearing and judgment, both upon the merits and upon any issue as to its jurisdiction of the question.

"Second: All other questions arising between the signatories and not settled by negotiation, shall be submitted to a council of conciliation for hearing, consideration and recommendation.

"Third: The signatories shall jointly use forthwith both their economic and military forces against any one of their number that goes to war, or commits acts of hostility, against another of the signatories before any question arising shall be submitted as provided in the foregoing.'

The sanction of military force provided by the third article. has caused a division among the advocates of international organization in their attitude toward the proposed league of nations. Some of the earliest projects for the maintenance of peace went much further by making provision for international force as a means of compelling the execution of arbitral awards. However, until very recently leaders of the peace movement have very generally deprecated any use whatever of

*The following interpretation of Article 3 has been authorized by the Executive Committee:

"The signatory powers shall jointly employ diplomatic and economic pressure against any one of their number that threatens war against a fellow signatory without having first submited its dispute for international inquiry, conciliation, arbitration or judicial hearing, and awaited a conclusion, or without having offered so to submit it. They shall follow this forthwith by the joint use of their military forces against the nation if it actually goes to war, or commits acts of hostility, against another of the signatories before any question arising shall be dealt with as provided in the fore going". League to Enforce Peace, Reference Book, pp. 31-2 (1918).