The plain truth is that the League of Free Nations, if it is to be a reality, if it is to effect a real pacification of the world, must do no less than supersede Empire; it must end not only this new German imperialism, which is struggling so savagely and powerfully to possess the earth, but it must also wind up British imperialism and French imperialism, which do now so largely and inaggressively possess it.  And, moreover, this idea queries the adjective of Belgian, Portuguese, French, and British Central Africa alike, just as emphatically as it queries “German.”  Still more effectually does the League forbid those creations of the futurist imagination, the imperialism of Italy and Greece, which make such threatening gestures at the world of our children.  Are these incompatibilities understood?  Until people have faced the clear antagonism that exists between imperialism and internationalism, they have not begun to suspect the real significance of this project of the League of Free Nations.  They have not begun to realize that peace also has its price.

IV

THE LABOUR VIEW OF MIDDLE AFRICA

I was recently privileged to hear the views of one of those titled and influential ladies—­with a general education at about the fifth standard level, plus a little French, German, Italian, and music—­who do so much to make our England what it is at the present time, upon the Labour idea of an international control of “tropical” Africa.  She was loud and derisive about the “ignorance” of Labour.  “What can they know about foreign politics?” she said, with gestures to indicate her conception of them.

I was moved to ask her what she would do about Africa.  “Leave it to Lord Robert!” she said, leaning forward impressively. “Leave it to the people who know.”

Unhappily I share the evident opinion of Labour that we are not blessed with any profoundly wise class of people who have definite knowledge and clear intentions about Africa, that these “people who know” are mostly a pretentious bluff, and so, in spite of a very earnest desire to take refuge in my “ignorance” from the burthen of thinking about African problems, I find myself obliged, like most other people, to do so.  In the interests of our country, our children, and the world, we common persons have to have opinions about these matters.  A muddle-up in Africa this year may kill your son and mine in the course of the next decade.  I know this is not a claim to be interested in things African, such as the promoter of a tropical railway or an oil speculator has; still it is a claim.  And for the life of me I cannot see what is wrong about the Labour proposals, or what alternative exists that can give even a hope of peace in and about Africa.