Essays in Liberalism | Page 2

the subject is foreign politics, or imperial problems, or government, or industry, the same temper shows itself--a belief in freedom rather than in regimentation; an earnest desire to substitute law for force; a belief in persuasion rather than in compulsion as the best mode of solving difficult problems; an eagerness to establish organised methods of discussion and co-operation as the best solvent of strife, in international relations and in industrial affairs quite as much as in the realm of national politics, to which these methods have long since been applied.
That is the spirit of modern Liberalism, which gives unity to the diversity of this little volume. As has often been said, Liberalism is an attitude of mind rather than a body of definitely formulated doctrine. It does not claim to know of any formula which will guide us out of all our troubles, or of any panacea that will cure every social ill. It recognises that we are surrounded in every field of social and political life by infinitely difficult problems for which there is no easy solution. It puts its trust in the honest inquiry and thought of free men who take their civic responsibilities seriously.

CONTENTS
PAGE Preface v
The League of Nations and the Rehabilitation of Europe _Rt. Hon. Lord Robert Cecil_ 1
The Balance of Power _Professor A.F. Pollard_ 19
International Disarmament Sir Frederick Maurice 37
Reparations and Inter-Allied Debt John Maynard Keynes 51
The Outlook for National Finance Sir Josiah Stamp 59
Free Trade _Rt. Hon. J.M. Robertson_ 74
India Sir Hamilton Grant 92
Egypt _J.A. Spender_ 111
The Machinery of Government Ramsay Muir 120
The State and Industry _W.T. Layton_ 145
The Regulation of Wages _Professor L.T. Hobhouse_ 165
Unemployment _H.D. Henderson_ 176
The Problem of the Mines _Arnold D. McNair_ 194
The Land Question _A.S. Comyns Carr_ 212
Agricultural Questions _Rt. Hon. F.D. Acland_ 227

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND THE REHABILITATION OF EUROPE
BY THE RT. HON. LORD ROBERT CECIL
K.C., M.P., Assistant Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1918. Minister of Blockade, 1916-1918. Representative of Union of South Africa at Assembly of League of Nations.
Lord Robert Cecil said:--I ought to explain that I am here rather by accident. The speaker who was to have addressed you was my great personal friend, Professor Gilbert Murray, and you have greatly suffered because he is not present. He is prevented by being at Geneva on a matter connected with the League, and he suggested that I might take his place. I was very glad to do so, for, let me say quite frankly, I am ready to advocate the League of Nations before any assembly, certainly not least an assembly of Liberals. But not only an assembly of Liberals--I should be ready to advocate it even before an assembly of "Die-Hards."
Your chairman has said, and said truly, that the League is not a party question. We welcome, we are anxious for support from every one. We have seen in another great country the very grave danger that may accrue to the cause of the League if it unhappily becomes identified with party politics. We welcome support, yes, I will say even from the Prime Minister; indeed no one will reject the support of the Prime Minister of England for any cause. I am bound to admit when I first read the speech to which reference has already been made, I was a little reminded of the celebrated letter of Dr. Johnson to Lord Chesterfield. Lord Chesterfield only began to recognise the value of Johnson's works when Johnson had already succeeded, and in one of the bitter phrases Dr. Johnson then used he said, "Is not a patron one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and when he has reached ground incommodes him with help?" That was a passing phase in my mind, and I am a little ashamed of it, because, after all, we cannot say the League has reached ground as yet. We need and are grateful for the help of any one who will genuinely come to its assistance. I hope we may look not only for words, but for deeds. The League needs all the support it can get in the very perilous and menacing times which are before us. I was glad to note that the Government has announced--it is one of the great test questions--that not only is it in favour of the entry of Germany into the League, but it would support the election of Germany to the Council of the League. That is an earnest of what we trust may be a real League policy from the Government of this country. And yet, though I have thought it right to emphasise the non-party aspect of this question, I am conscious, and I am sure all of you are, there are two ways in which the League is regarded. It is