In Nomine Pacis

It was dark, pitch dark, save for one shaft of light boring through the crowded room. This light played on a slim white mast, played on a miniature British Union Jack fluttering slowly aloft. An unseen band struck up God Save the King.

The searchlight swung about, came to rest on another white mastlet. Up went the Stars and Stripes. Up struck The Star Spangled Banner.

This in a Manhattan hotel function room. When all the lights were snapped on, a distinguished company, some 1,200 strong, stood each behind his plate while grace was said. A moment later the company sat--ambassadors, whilom-ambassadors, bankers, editors, divines, a general or two ; Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, Miss Margaret Wilson, Authoress Ida M. Tarbell, Mrs. Charles L. Tiffany, Mr. and Mrs. Norman H. Davis and many another.

It was a memorial dinner of the Woodrow Wilson Foundation; the date was the late President's 68th birthday anniversary; there were only two speeches after dinner. At coffee-time, Norman H. Davis, Chairman of the Foundation, arose to the introduction and ceremony of the evening, beginning with a tribute to President Wilson and working from that into citation of the merits of Viscount Cecil of Chelwood (Lord Robert Cecil), the Foundation's unanimous choice (TIME, Dec. 15") for recipient of the Woodrow Wilson

Medal and its concomitant $25,000 cash prize. After a flaming peroration, Mr. Davis turned to the tall, grave, stoop-shouldered Englishman by his side, introduced him formally to the company and tendered him medal and check. Long and hearty was the applause that followed; long, able, accurate the speech that Lord Robert then made in reply.

He first thanked his host and honorers with deep sincerity. He gave them two of his memories of Woodrow Wilson--triumphant Wilson in London, 1918; sick but dauntless Wilson in Washington, 1923. Then he embarked upon a narration of the history of the League of Nations idea and a catalog, inter alia, of the chief international disputes with which the League has dealt:

Albania. "There was the adjustment of the serious difficulties between Albania and Serbia, which stopped the invasion of Albania and for a time at least restored harmony to those two countries."

Vilna. "There was the less complete solution of the controversy between Poland and Lithuania over the possession of Vilna, which at any rate stopped actual hostilities; and there was the much discussed settlement of the Silesian question between Poland and Germany, which, whatever may be said about some of its features, is in practice working smoothly and well."

Memel. "More recently we have seen an admirable piece of international work accomplished in the settlement of the Government of the territory of Memel, to which our Chairman tonight so splendidly contributed by his tact and wisdom. That was a controversy which had troubled Europe for two or three years and had defied the ordinary diplomatic methods of settlement."

Corfu. "Here was a case of a bitter quarrel between two nations caused by an occurrence of the most deplorable character, the murder of four Italian officers on Greek territory. It was the kind of case which in the past had often produced, if not actual war, at any rate prolonged embitterment of international relations. Yet in a very few weeks the matter was adjusted, partly by the League and partly by another international body, the Conference of Ambassadors."

Egypt. "The British representative on the Council of the League felt that it would be in accordance with the new spirit of international relations publicly to offer to lay before the Council of the League a full statement and account ol British action in Egypt if any member of the League desired that should be done.

"To my mind, that is one of the most striking testimonials to the progress of the idea of international unity that has ' yet taken place. Here was a matter admittedly outside the cognizance of the League as to which the British Government was none the less ready to give explanations, because it desired to pay tribute to the international authority and position of the League Council. So far from the authority of the League being flouted, as some have ignorantly suggested, it has been openly and emphatically endorsed."

Mosul. "The two parties, Turkey, which is not yet a member of the League, and Great Britain have agreed to refer the delimitation of the northern frontier of Mesopotamia to the Council of the League. The Council, following what is becomiing a common practice, has referred the technical question to a small committee presided over by Count Teleki, an ex-Prime Minister of Hungary, which will make an inquiry on the spot and report to the Council. I am glad to say that both countries have already agreed to accept the decision of the Council, whatever it may be--a good example of the growing power of the new spirit."