The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-02
use OF ECONOMIC
WEAPONS 5 AFTER
WAR IS DEBATED.
IN BRITISH HOUSE
Labor Member Fears 1t
Would Endanger League
of Nations
BALFOUR THINKS
WEAPON NEEDED
Liberal Press Hotly Criti-
cises Lloyd George for
His Views
fRv AasocIared Press.)

London. Aug. 2.-Fear that the
adoption of economic weapons after
the war might endanger the pro-
posed league OF nations was express
ed by James II. Thomas, labor
member Of parliament for Derby, in
the house Of commons today.
Foreign Secretary Balfour in re-
ply complained that he had heard no
really practical suggestions from
objects they all had in view nor in
dication where an international po-
lice force to enforce contracts be-
tween nations could be found.
Unquestionably, he continued, 9
league Of nations could not anoro
to deprive its armory Of economic
weapons. It is perfectly true, that
the economic weapon is capable OF
misuse as witness Germany's policy
in Russia in a manner destructive
Of liberty, but the foreign secretary
saw no sign of any country consent
ing to abandon the employment OF
tariffs If it considered them neces-
sary.
He believed that Mr.. Thomas
would find that labor would not
abandon this method Of dealing with
economic problems.
Chance of Disarmament.
Mr.. Balfour also contended that
universal disarmament only was
possible II 1t could be proved that
the new international agreement
was effective and If it had mach!n-
cry for keeping the worlds peace
successfully.
''The last four years, continued
the foreign secretary, ''have con-
vinced nations that war is a very
costly, bloody and brutal thing, but
not that it Is a thing to be thrust
aside.
world, I see the greatest Of nations
quite as ready to quarrel with each
other as the most ambitious Of their
predecessors"
tary Of state for foreign affairs, urg-
ed that. the conditions Of peace
ought to be made more favorable to
those nations prepared to enter a
league. He thought the question
should be considered fully in all its
aspects and a scheme prepared 10
be nut into operation Immediately
after the war II there was any pros
pect of it's adoption Immediately
after the war, because a few years,
delay would, with the shortness Of
peoples memories, result in the COOL
ing Of present enthusiasm.
The difficulties in the way OF es-
stablishing and running such league
were so serious, he added, that only
by united efforts Of all men Of good
will could it possibly be put into
execution.
Premier Is Criticised.
Sharp dissent to the threat of
Premier Lloyd George to use the
economic weapon Fgainst Germany
after the war as outlined in an ad"
dress made by the premier before q
delegation from the National union
of manufacturers yesterday, is ex-
pressed by the liberal press and the
premier's views, 1t Is said, Will not
be indorsed in America.
Quoting the phrase The longer
the war, the gterner must be the
economic terms we impose on the
foe" used by Mr.. Lloyd George, The
Chronicle says:
1--WE doubt very much whether
that is how President Wilson views
the question. 1t is certainly not the
view of the American opinion gen
orally. Americans attach great i'm
portance to the economic weapon
which the allies, acting together
could WELD, but the Americans do
not wish 1t welded with a vindic-
tive purpose for any fixed period
after the war. It would not be pos
sible to carry out both the Ameri-
can policy and Lloyd Georges pol
icy. They are alternative, not sup
Elementary.
"The American suggestion is full
of hope. and help in the pursuit of
ultimate peace. That Of Lloyd
George has quite the opposite ten
dency" '.'- -