D O C U M E N T 4 5 2 M A R C H 1 9 2 3 3 8 1 objection that the L[eague] of N[ations][3] is far too centralized in structure for it to be possible to attribute any single will to it, was your contribution. Yet I hear you answer: “That’s not what counts what I mean is clear anyway” roughly thus: “The proportion of stupidities imposed on this country is too great. It simply will have to defend itself somehow I don’t want to contribute in the least to these restrictions that the others must try to lay in its path, as soon as they don’t happen to succeed. I am throwing my little bit of weight into the balance along these lines: the victorious cause pleased the gods, but the vanquished pleased Cato [victrix causa diis placuit sed victa Catoni].”[4] Let there not have been any distortion of the pho- tographic plate—where it hinges on a matter of 10−4 cm![5] and none of the safe- guards required for verification, by means of external “experimental results,” be forgotten! Maybe when you have been closer to the one again, you will dislike the others less (again). And the slow twisting approach by the Americans through all the internal difficulties[6] will make you optimistic again about this entity, to which Alb[ert] Thomas from the Labor Organization and Lord Robert Cecil belong.[7] What will the coming months bring, I wonder? Warm greetings, yours, Michele. What has been done cannot be undone! [Facta infecta fieri nequeunt!][8] —Just for the sake of perspective, I also add that your decision is being used as an indica- tion of a weakening of the position of the Sw[iss] state (in favor of an unautono- mous social democracy, the “Federation for the Independence of Switzerland” and similar doubtful creations).[9] On the other hand, I cannot judge whether it is entirely insignificant for the inter- nat. position of Jewry and whether perhaps an improvement in individual countries opposes it. But the main thing is, of course, not the initially arising consequences but the deeper justification: and about that I expressed my doubts above. Again, yours, M. Whoever reads the forthcoming report—in mid-March 1923—by Gonzague de Reynold[10] about the meetings—of August 1922!—will surely understand better why it did not give you a homey feeling make you feel at home being among that company. Patience!, I would probably have said to you if you had complained to me about it. Now, I say: Patience! to myself—the world doesn't look very charming on either side, though 15 April 1923 Dear Albert, I don’t quite know what these lines have been waiting for: They didn’t turn out the way I that would have been right but everything goes a bit wrong. I believe, though, that I was still secretly waiting for some report from you, perhaps
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