382 THE BRITISH APPROACH TO POLITICS

immediate advantage in so doing; while all were agreed tnat war
was criminal folly, there was no attempt to embody this truth in
the political organisation of the world.

The Great War finally discredited the Balance of Power
doctrine, and emphasised the need for world-wide organisation.
It showed further that no great nation could have more than the
slenderest hope of keeping out of a major war. The whole people
realised how deeply they, not only their Governments and Armed
Forces, were concerned; and there was more understanding of
the connection between war and the problems of investment,
profits and standards of life. The years since 1918 have witnessed
attempts to apply these lessons.

ORGANISATION OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

The Treaties which ended the Great War contained the
Covenant of the League of Nations, the most recent attempt to
organise world society. The original Members of the League were
the victorious powers, except the US. A., and nearly all the neutrals
and new States. The Covenant provides for the admission of new
Members, if two-thirds of the League States agree. Germany
joined in 1926, a number of smaller States did the same, and in
1934 the U.S.S.R. became a Member. The Covenant also provides
for States Members to leave the League by giving two years'
notice. The first important withdrawal was that of Brazil in 1928;
in 1933 Japan and Germany gave notice of withdrawal, as did
Italy in 1937. It has proved that withdrawal becomes effective
in practice as soon as notice is given. In 1938 Austria became part
of Germany and can no longer be considered a League Member.
To-day, therefore, the League lacks the membership of four
Great Powers. Other States, eligible but not members, are
Brazil, Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, the Yemen and Iceland. Britain,
India and the Dominions have all, severally, been Members
throughout; this gives international recognition to the nationhood
of the Dominions and the intended Dominion status of India.

Each State Member is represented by a Delegation, and has