V.V. (12) "a tiny European Conclave or League of Nations"

[jbor]

      A curious crew were thus thrown together. Many, of course, were
    German: rich neighbours, visitors from Windhoek or Swakopmund. But
    there were also Dutch and English from the Union; Italians, Austrians,
    Belgians from the diamond fields near the coast; French, Russian,
    Spanish and one Pole from various corners of the earth; all creating the
    appearance of a tiny European Conclave or League of Nations, assembled
    here while political chaos howled outside.
                                        (235.13)


Q. What is the significance of the setting Pynchon has chosen -- a colonial
farm ("baroque plantation house" 231.1) rather than some military or
diplomatic outpost or keep -- and the analogy with the League of Nations
(1920-1946), which are set up here in this orientation to the narrative of
Foppl's Siege Party?

best