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But this scepticism about the League was not unanimous. Lionel Zimmern's article in the same issue of The Round Table was Curtis was a keen supporter of the League as was Alfred Zimmern, more effusive in its support for the League of Nations. A true ideo- whom Curtis admired because his mind was "not shaped in the iron —_ logue, Zimmern claimed the "real work" of the "coming age" was Milnerian mould". It was through Zimmern that Curtis had joined to "moralise" states both internally and externally, as "[b]etter the League of Free Nations Association, a pro-League group States" would create "better citizens" who were "more public-spirit- formed by Fabian Society member H.G. Wells. ed" and "fully-conscious of their obligations". When all states were The Association later joined with another group, the League of dominated by such "civic dedication", only then could the "machin- Nations Society—also dominated by Fabians including Leonard ery of the League ever develop into the organic union or world- Woolf, author of International Government (1915)—to form the State to which all students of the political affairs of mankind are League of Nations Union (LNU). Curtis soon became a strong bound to look forward to".'* Continuing this theme, Zimmern presence in the LNU, convincing Wells to adopt the Round Table's averred: research methods, and driving its agenda towards supporting world It is only by the co-operation of States which have common ideals government as the only means of eliminating war.'” that the new world order can be built up, and the idea of the com - The LNU later published its proposal, "The Idea of a League of — = monwealth, the principle of the conscious and responsible co-oper - Nations" in the Atlantic Monthly in 1919. They presented the issue —_ ation of the citizen in the making of laws by which he is bound, is as a choice between "a general agreement on the part of mankind to _the only possible foundation for the world-State of the future.” organize a permanent peace" and the "progressive development of The other purpose of Zimmern's article was to influence the the preparation for war and the means deliberations of the Paris Peace of conducting war" that would "ulti- Conference. Thus to achieve the third of mately...destroy civilization". They Wilson's Fourteen Points—which called also rejected as a "delusion" the notion for the "removal...of all economic bar- that war could merely be restricted sys — . riers" and the global "equality of trade rather than abolished" The position of Philip Kerr IS conditions" Zimmern recommended Yet this "League of Nations project" perhaps the most important in creation of a "permanent commission on would not only eliminate war forever, it . . Commercial Practice". Much like the would deliver "a new economic phase this episode as he was the World Trade Organisation of today, this in history" in the form of "economic closest Round Table member proposed body would address "contro- world-control". The League was no versies on tariff discrimination, dump- mere "little legal scheme", wrote to Lloyd George. ing and similar questions".' Zimmern Curtis, Zimmern and their fellow LNU even warned of the "dangers" to civili- collaborators, but a "proposal to change sation posed by "international syndi- the life and mentality of everyone on cates" and "international trusts" who earth". were becoming "real and serious rivals They also claimed it was "fatuous" to to the power of free governments". "dream of compromises" with any "political institutions or social Although he noted the "[mlJeans...exist for controlling them", it was methods" that stood in the way of this project; such obstacles were "too early" to describe those controls.'*! presumably to be eliminated. The demands of their "World-League Of these it was Curtis's article—subsequently reprinted in the of Nations" project were enormous and could not be diluted: "it is New York Times (21 December 1918) and published by the LNU as either to be a great thing in the world, an overriding idea of a its first study—that was the most influential. General Jan Smuts greater state, or nothing".'* and Lord Cecil, key contributors to the League of Nations Curtis had already spelled out his own ideas on the League in an — Covenant, both drew on Curtis's paper; and it was on the strength of article for The Round Table, "The Windows of Freedom" "The Windows to Freedom" Cecil had invited Curtis to join the (December 1918). Curtis made three points. First, he made an League of Nations Section at the Paris Peace Conference.'” Fate impassioned plea for Anglo-American cooperation to ensure the though, had decreed that it was the League sceptics—Milner, Kerr League would function. The war had revealed to America "the and Amery—who had the ear of Lloyd George, not Curtis. world is one" and that it was "now impossible" to retain its policy of isolation. "Having put her hand to the plough, can [America] WEAKENING THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS look back?", Curtis asked rhetorically. "Can she now go back to The position of Philip Kerr is perhaps the most important in this the plea that American interests are the dominating principle of her —_ episode as he was the closest Round Table member to Lloyd policy?" George. As the private secretary and foreign policy adviser to Second, he warned the League of Nations "will not constitute a Lloyd George from 1916 to 1921, Kerr's influence has been much world government", and would be little more than "scaffolding" debated. Recent academic accounts paint Kerr as the "gatekeeper" until it was composed of popularly elected representatives who (MacMillan) and "intimate companion" (Warman) to Lloyd were able to levy taxes. In fact, until it had "developed the structure George, who was able manipulate him with ease due to his absolute of a world government", a powerless League "plastered with phras- control over the flow of information to the Prime Minister.’ Some es and made to look like stone" would become "the greatest danger contemporary observers, however, suggested Kerr's influence was which can threaten mankind". Although optimistic, the world exaggerated. As Thomas Jones, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, would "live to see" a "Government speaking and acting in the name for example, observed in 1917: "Kerr pumps things into [Lloyd of mankind". Curtis cautioned: "the hour is not yet". Finally, | George] and he seems to agree and then he goes and does the oppo- Curtis proposed a trusteeship system in which the League would site". direct certain powers to bring "peace, order and good government" In the case of the League of Nations, however, it is clear that to those "races who cannot as yet hope to govern themselves" in Kerr's influence over Lloyd George was more substantial than not. tropical Africa and the Pacific.'”” This is confirmed by a little-known incident in January 1919, when The position of Philip Kerr is perhaps the most important in this episode as he was the closest Round Table member WEAKENING THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS The position of Philip Kerr is perhaps the most important in this episode as he was the closest Round Table member to Lloyd George. As the private secretary and foreign policy adviser to Lloyd George from 1916 to 1921, Kerr's influence has been much debated. Recent academic accounts paint Kerr as the "gatekeeper" (MacMillan) and "intimate companion" (Warman) to Lloyd George, who was able manipulate him with ease due to his absolute control over the flow of information to the Prime Minister.'* Some contemporary observers, however, suggested Kerr's influence was exaggerated. As Thomas Jones, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, for example, observed in 1917: "Kerr pumps things into [Lloyd George] and he seems to agree and then he goes and does the oppo- site".!™ In the case of the League of Nations, however, it is clear that Kerr's influence over Lloyd George was more substantial than not. This is confirmed by a little-known incident in January 1919, when JUNE — JULY 2005 NEXUS = 33 to Lloyd George. www.nexusmagazine.com