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TO SICMUND FREUD 105
cohesion prevents them from taking a direct part in the solution
of contemporary problems. Don't you think that a change might
be brought about in this respect by a free association of people
whose previous achievements and actions constitute a guarantee
of their ability and purity of aim? This association of an
international nature, whose members would need to keep in
touch with each other by a constant interchange of opinions,
might, by defining its attitude in the Press--responsibility
always resting with the signatories on any given occasion-acquire
a considerable and salutary moral influence over the
settlement of political questions. Such an association would,
of course, be a prey to all the ills which so often lead to degeneration
in learned societies, dangers which are inseparably
bound up ,vith the imperfections of human nature. But should
not an effort in this direction be risked in spite of this? I look
upon such an attempt as nothing less than an imperative duty.
If an intellectual association of standing, such as I have described,
could be formed, it would also have to make a consistent
effort to mobilize the religious organizations for the fight against
war. It would give countenance to many whose good intentions
are paralyzed today by a melancholy resignation. Finally, I
believe that an association formed of persons such as I have
described, each highly esteemed in his own line, would be well
suited to give valuable moral support to those elements in the
League of Nations which are really working toward the great
objective for which that institution exists.
I had rather put tl,ese proposals to you than to anyone else in
the world, because you, least of all men, are the dupe of your
desires and because your critical judgment is supported by a
most grave sense of responsibility.