Non-self-governing territories in the past have been too often breeding spots for war. Many contain valuable raw materials or offer rich markets; some command highly desirable shipping or aviation routes; still others offer potential naval and military bases of strategic significance. Such territories frequently become centers of international rivalry or even conflict.

The confusion and lack of information about trials of war criminals continues. In 1945 one of our most highly talented observers on international relations made the egregious error of telling a large and intelligent body of readers that, as regards Germans who had ordered or condoned acts of brutality toward the people of conquered countries, “there is no international law in existence” under which most of them could be brought to trial.

The Board of Liquidation of the League of Nations closed its accounts as of July 31, 1947, completing the dissolution of the institution established by the Covenant which had been effect since January 10, 1920. The dissolution itself—the cessation of all activities except for liquidation purposes—had been in effect since April 19, 1946, the day following the adjournment of the 21st ordinary session of the Assembly.

The word ultimatum is used repeatedly in the Report of the Army Pearl Harbor Board and in the testimony given to the Joint Congressional Committee investigating the Pearl Harbor disaster. In the former it is asserted that the Japanese regarded the “Ten Points” submitted to their government on November 26, 1941, as an ultimatum, and the testimony of Ambassador Grew is cited in support of the statement.

Statesmen, politicians, political scientists, journalists, and radio commentators seem to agree on one thing about the United Nations: success or failure depends upon the spirit animating its members. As Eagleton says, “The system [embodied in the United Nations Charter] does not automatically guarantee security to anyone, and whether it will provide peace and human advancement will depend entirely upon the willingness of its Members to coöperate toward these ends.”