ABSTRACT
Attempts to develop the provisions about peaceful change of the status quo, would encounter special difficulties at a time when faith in the renunciation of the war method, and confidence that war has been renounced by others, and needs to be strengthened in all countries. It is sometimes urged, as an objection to the General Act, that by promoting pacific settlement without adequately providing in itself for peaceful change, the Act will conduce to an unjust and dangerous crystallization of the status quo. The sanctions can serve as a powerful inducement to League Members to do their utmost to make the collective peace system work; for if that system were allowed to break down, the League’s Members would then be involved in the responsibilities and losses of coercive action. With the help of this collective peace system, including the imposed armistice, the distinction between spurious and genuine self-defence can be promptly and reliably established.
