Washington and the Riddle of Peace

In the wake of the Great War, a gathering of diplomats in Washington hopes to turn the tide of history. The author’s notebook captures the conference’s day‑to‑day mood swings—excitement, skepticism, and the lingering dread that the scars of 1914 have not yet healed. From the opening remarks on the sheer scale of the problem to vivid sketches of the delegates’ private conversations, the prose offers a front‑row seat to a moment that could redefine global politics.

Interwoven with sharp analysis of armament limits, the essays explore the budding idea of an “Association of Nations” as a practical path toward lasting peace. The writer surveys the positions of the United States, Britain, France, Japan, and emerging voices from colonies, questioning whether mere treaties can curb the deeper forces that threaten civilization. Listeners will feel the tension between lofty optimism and hard‑won realism as the conference unfolds, inviting reflection on how the world might escape the cycle of conflict.