W. E. B. Du Bois, "The League of Nations," Crisis,
March, 1921.
Forty-one
nations, including nearly every Negro and mulatto and colored government of the
world, have met in Geneva and formed the assembly of the League of Nations.
This is the most forward-looking event of the century. Because of the idiotic
way in which the stubbornness of Woodrow Wilson and the political fortunes of
the Republicans became involved, the United States was not represented. But
despite its tumult and shouting this nation must join and join on the terms
which the World lays down. The idea that we single-handed can dictate terms to
the World or stay out of the World, is an idea born of the folly of fools.