Yet the "neutrality" of Switzerland means the International Red Cross and the League of Nations; and it has surely earned by its hospitality to the world's statesmen, a right to play its part in the historical peace, for which "the God who Forgives" is waiting.
The Orient express is bringing the peoples together; Lord Curzon from London, Ismet Pasha from Angora. May their political discussion travel under one company to our home of peace! This Hotel of the Strange Tongues is fast become a very Tower of Babel, for it reveals every possible phase of complete internationalism, from fox-trots and cocktails to the folk-songs of Anatolia, sung by the Pasha's Guards when off duty. Here, too, are thronging a host of new nationalities—Georgians, Bolsheviks, Syrians, Sons of Palestine, and Armenians; each fired by their own ideals, each proud of their independence; all sighing for the (political) moon.
For the moment, of course, the Conference has resolved itself into a duel between Lord Curzon and Ismet Pasha. Mme. B., indeed, is indignant because, she says, "our English representative has so bullied the French delegate that he has been obliged to take to his bed," though one can hardly believe that proud and mighty Republic would choose a man whom anyone could really bully to bed!
I tried to imagine the Conferences of the future! "We should appoint a bear for our delegate," I said, "send him round to all the other delegations in turn, to grunt! When his confrères had all taken to their beds, he could dictate his own term. . . . After the senile sensitiveness of M. Barrère, the youthful 'insolence' of Riza Nour is most refreshing."
This is the first occasion of big diplomacy in which Turkey has ever dared to assert herself. "A free and independent Turkey" is so unheard of; one sadly fears it may even now be dismissed as "mere bluff." Do they realise, or will they ever believe, that a vast, well-trained army (who may be called fanatics) are ready and thoroughly prepared (by military experts) to come out at a word from their great leader, and once more
