Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-31
]. A. Spender of Westmin-
ter Gazette Thinks Such
Treat Would be Powerful
W~eapon-Advises Pledge
of Full Intercourse When
Germans Renounce Mill
tarism.

London, Dec. 31.-President Will
sons reference in his address TO con-
sress to the hypothesis that it might
be impossible to admit Germany, un-
der certain untOWard circumstances,
to free economic intercourse with 9TH
er members OF the League of Nations,
has been receiving serious consldera-
ton here.
The question of adding economic
instruments to the other weapons with
which the war is being waged against
Germany has been ably debated in the
press for some time past by J. A.
%Spender. the editor of The, Westmin-
ster Gazette. who is an authoritative
exponent of liberal opinion which,
hating war and detesting militarism
as the arch enemy of democracy and
progress, still recognizes that there is
nothing for it but to fight on for a
satisfactory peace. In an interview,
Mr.. Spender indicated that develop
ments alonr this line were impending,
II hope you noticed" said he, that
Lloyd George said the government
was in full agreement with President
Wilson's recent speech to congress.
That is a most important thing. and I
believe that the economic weapon "a
be used to assist materially in gaining
our common ends If we consider the
position Of the Allies with regard to
the raw materials Of the world and
control of ocean ports, We shall real
ize how great a pressure we can bring
On Germany by a threat to refuse to
admit her to free economic inter-
course. Rut this threat must be ac-
companied by the understanding that
If she will conform to our wishes and
give ND her militaristic policy we shall
receive her again in economic rela-
tons. If we did not do that our
threat would he OF no avail. She
would he excluded whatever happened
and. hat therefore it did not matter
what she did. If the economic wear-
on is ~ he Of n value whatever it
m,'st therefore be conditioned"
NJ. Sner1"~'~ attitude is influenced
bv the possibilities he forsees in the
collapse ~ Russia.
Russia a Thorn to Peace.
There cannot help being danger Of
a peace being proposed" he said. ION
a basis of compensation to Germany
restores to the Allies in the west. In
that I believe would lie the germ. of
certain war in the future. Surprising
Germany had not definitely abandoned
her militaristic policy. how could Rus
STA be satisfied permanently with be-
ing condemned to the use Of ports
frozen in for more than half the year
to the permanent loss of certain
provinces? Sooner or later a military
leader would be sure ia. arise in Rus
sia, and his attempts to regain his
country's position would plunge Eur
ope once more into war. That fear
would continually be before the whole
Of Europe, and 1t would drive the ma
tons once more to the old a Of
ornaments. which would absorb more
than ever of the lives Of the nations
In the struggle Of each to get ahead
Of its neighhor."
Disarmo ment. Mr.. Spender consid-
ers. j. absolutely essential II the civil
ICED world IS to he saved from this
horrible nightmare. and THE brings
r'r' again to the ideas Of President
Wilson.
"Ir Wa e-e tn have disarmament.
Presiden Wilaon's major premise is
absolutely correct" he said. I'VE
must in ono way or another bring
about a change Of system in GERMANY.
There must he an alteration in the
entire spirit md ideals Of tho peoole
and the min1starA hafnva VA can he
gin TO r'scus- tbs details IT " settle
won't, For ~~"mIte therA Ia ~. ~,ss-
tior % = rsr~.- coaNr'es. We hate
captured +herr iii. srh U~s.~. the~n tr
tn. definite. etar~e =" which ha".
spoken their .turr 10 Germany r'c",a
be fraught With danger to 10. Take
German East Affica for instarce-~e
DID not want 1t. az ve had quite