A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
WHAT the purpose of the Peace Conference now in session in Paris is I have never quite understood. Peace exists, and no one, so far as I know, proposes to break it. But the representatives of British democracy, the Very Rev. Hewlett Johnson, Mr. Platts Mills, M.P., who has been expelled from the
Labour Party, Mr. Zilliacus, M.P., whose candidature at the next election the Labour Party has declined to endorse, Mr. D. N. Pritt, M.P., whom the Labour Party also prefers to dispense with—these and some others not substantially distinguishable
think peace is threatened. Mr. Zilliacus has opportunely con- tributed to Tuesday's Daily Worker an article which " shows how
false is the attempt to portray the North Atlantic Pact as a move for peace." " The North Atlantic Treaty is simply a war alliance. It has started a new arms race. . . . It will make war inevitable sooner or later, as the balance of power has always done in the past." Well, those are the personages who will figure at the conference ; this is the kind of theme on which they will ring the changes. If thereby they bring peace nearer all the world will hail them as benefactors. But one reminder is opportune. Peacemakers should utter peaceful sentiments. No doubt these peacemakers will. Or — ?
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