So much for the organisation of the League. This machinery has settled over 30 major disputes, and in eight cases of which war had actually commenced. But perhaps the greatest strength of the League is that it enables nations to get together and know each other. It may well be that all the acts of all the European Parliaments, taken together, were of less importance than the meeting between Stresse-mann and Briand at a little Alpine inn outside Geneva. In their shirt-sleeves one hot Sunday afternoon, after a good meal, these statesmen were able to chat, quite free from the frigid formality of their diplomatic offices, and did more to remove the feeling of revenge and antagonism which have so long characterised Franco-German relations.
And now to the Chino-Japanese War. It is true that the League did no prevent this conflict, but it was limited and ended by the Council. Further, it was the first war in China in which outside nations did not seize some port or point of strategical advantage. The attention of the whole world was focussed on the dispute by the League.
The above exegesis does not pretend to be complete; no mention is made of the League's activities in health, finance, drug-traffic, etc., but it may perhaps show that the League is the only machinery for organising Peace. Sometimes the League doesn't do all we should like it to, but is that its fault? Do you support it? The League needs a large body of well-informed public opinion behind it to be efficient. If we want Peace the League can obtain it. The alternative war, and the ultimate extinction of our civilisation.
WILLAM THE SILENT.
CHESS.
Chess is probably the most ancient of all games of skill. It was undoubtedly invented in the Far East, passing from India to Persia, and then to Europe. The word " Chess " is supposed to have been derived from the word " Shah," the Persian word for king. This game is a warfare in miniature. The object of the game is to get our opponent's king in such a position that it cannot be moved. The pieces are drawn up in battle array, the two " castles " being placed on the two extreme ends; then the "knights " and the " bishops," next to which come the " king " and " queen,'; the queen being on its own colour.
In front of these is a row of eight " pawns. These are of the least value in the game. The fascination of this game is that there are so many different moves. This game has been recommended for the development of the brain, because it is necessary to think out your moves beforehand, and also to try and imagine what move your opponent is going to make. It is possible to get your opponent " checkmated " in a few moves; that is to say, get your opponent's king in such a position that it cannot move. It is also possible for the game to last several hours. This game has a certain fascination that is unexplainable, and influence that, once you know the game and become interested in it, attracts you. The excitement that can be derived from this game rivals all others.
You cannot play the game? Why not learn?
F. VlDLER.
CHRISTMAS MINCEMEAT.
The ingredients in this mixture were supplied by G. Stone, K. Morgan, J. Piper, E. Shaw, M. Betts and R. J. Randall. Mixing and cooking by the Editor.
"Do you think I ought to put more fire into my verse? asked the poet.
"No ! " replied the editor, grimly, " you ought to put more of your verse into the fire."
"More jelly, Bert?" asked the hostess. At the moment someone shook the table and the jelly quivered.
No, thanks," said Bert, nervously, " I don't think it is quite dead yet."