Les delegations latino-americaines et les interets de la France a la Societe des Nations

In: Relations internationales: revue trimestrielle d'histoire, Heft 137, S. 45-59

Abstract

Owing to their numerical weight and lack of interest in many purely European issues dealt with mainly by the League of Nations, the votes of the Latin American delegations were coveted. Influenced by racial prejudice and convinced that Latin-American diplomats were vain and easily corruptible, French diplomats adopted the practice of vote trading, by offering honorary distinctions such as decorations and prestigious functions in the Assembly. Uruguay was also promised reelection to the Council. If it is true that some Latin Americans accepted and took advantage of this practice, in most cases the defense of national interest and of universal juridical principles remained the priority. Adapted from the source document.