Illusion and failure? : efforts for peace before World War I

Abstract

""A modem democracy is a mere .~ cloud of dust, and blows any way the wind blows," said Lowes Dickinson."2 Yet that should not be the final word. The League of Nations, the United Nations and the World Council of Churches may have shown themselves to be faulty and frail agencies, but they must be counted notable milestones along the road towards greater human sanity. They would not have been reached but for men like Norman Angell and AlIen Baker-and their counterparts in other lands-whose stories are a continuing challenge. Illusion and Failure? No, but peace, now as always, depends on peace-makers. ""A modem democracy is a mere .~ cloud of dust, and blows any way the wind blows," said Lowes Dickinson."2 Yet that should not be the final word. The League of Nations, the United Nations and the World Council of Churches may have shown themselves to be faulty and frail agencies, but they must be counted notable milestones along the road towards greater human sanity. They would not have been reached but for men like Norman Angell and AlIen Baker-and their counterparts in other lands-whose stories are a continuing challenge. Illusion and Failure? No, but peace, now as always, depends on peace-makers."