In a word, his request for a draft practically closed my mouth and tied my hands.

If he sought to check my activities with the members of the Council in favor of the proposed course of action, he could have taken no more effectual way than the one which he did take.

It was undoubtedly an effective means of "pigeonholing" a resolution, the further discussion of which might interfere with his plan to force through a report upon the Covenant before the middle of February.
This opinion as to the motive which impelled the President to pursue the course that he did in regard to a resolution was not the one held by me at the time.

It was formed only after subsequent events threw new light on the subject.

The delay perplexed me at the time, but the reason for it was not evident.