The rule of unanimity gave to each nation a veto power, but no one believed that one of the lesser states represented on the Council would dare to exercise it if the Great Powers were unanimous in support of a proposition.

In theory unanimity was a just and satisfactory rule; in practice it would amount to nothing.

The President may also have considered the council proposed by Lord Robert to be inexpedient in view of the political organization of the United States.

The American Government had no actual premier except the President, and it seemed out of the question for him to attend an annual meeting of the proposed council.

It would result in the President sending a personal representative who would unavoidably be in a subordinate position when sitting with the European premiers.