Evening journal., 1918-08-03
LIBERALS Object
TO ECONOMIC WAR
Lloyd Georges Threat to
Apply Trade Weapon to
Germany Criticised
AMERICAN POLICY
SAID TO BE LIBERAL

LONDON, Aug. 3.-Sharp dissent tc
the threat OF Premier Lloyd George to
use the economic weapon against Ger
many after the war, as outlined In an
address made by the Premier before q
delegation from the National Union OF
Manufacturers, is expressed through
the Liberal press, and the Premier's
view. it is said, will not be indorsed in
America.
Quoting the phrase "The longer the
war lasts the sterrsr must be the eco
nomic terms we impose on the foe."
used by Lloyd George in his address,
the Chronicle says:
I'VE doubt very much whether that is
how President Wilson views the ques-
tion. 1t is certainly not the view Of
American opinion generally. Americans
attach great Importance TO the eco
nomlc weapon, which the Allies, acting
together, coud WELD. but the Ameri-
cans do not wish it'NHielded with vim
dictive purpose for any fixed period
utter Tic Mus IL VIII AlL nt BOcclDAJ
TO carry out both the American policy
and Lloyd Georges policy They are
alternative, not supplementary.
'The American suggestion is full Of
hope and help in the pursuit Of ultimate
permanent world peace. That Of Lloyd
George has quite the opposite tend=
ency."
The Daily News says: ut is idle for
Lloyd George or any other statesman to
maintain that the spirit underlying
league OF nations is reconcilable with
the spirit underlying and inspiring the
protective tariff We must choose one
OF the other 1t is a question Of the
policy OF Wilson or the policy OF the
Paris resolutions.
IF American views on the Paris reso-
hutton have been unexpressed in OFF,
cial documents, they have been express
ed repeatedly and unequivocally in Pres
Ident Wilson'S speeches, which have
preached a gospel utterly incompatible |
With the perpetuation Of hostility |
through an economic war"
Conservative papers, on the other |
hand, generally indorse the Premier's |
address. although accusing him Of being |
Indefinite.
The Times, recognizing the existence
of the opinion in some quarters that |
the United States will not consent TO |
the employment Of economic weapons
against Germany, emphasized the fact
that the Premier expressed the hope
that an agreement might be reached on
economic as well as other problems
between America and England. IL cites
the phrase used by President Wilson In
his Mount Vernon address, mo half
way decision is tolerable," and says:
Germany is hardly likely TO believe
that the Allies mean what President
Wilson thus said for them as long Tas
they failed TO take what Lord. aobert
1.srr7 .aa.sr- -SiecretaFy OF stake for For.
eign Affairs, described tff Sther day as
all steps required TO destroy the eco
nomic basis Of Germany's military eff
fort"
Fear that the adoption Of economic
weapons after the war might endanger
the proposed league Of nations was ex-
pressed by James II. Thomas, Labor |
member Of Parliament for Derby, in the
House Of Commons yesterday during a
discussion on the policy Of such a
league raised by Liberal members.
Foreign Secretary Balfour, in reply
complained that he had heard no really
practical suggestions for the at
talnment Of the objects they all
had in view nor any indication where
an international police force TO enforce
contracts between nations could be
found.
Unquestionably, he continued, a leagne |
Of nations could not afford to deprive
its armory Of economic weapons. II is
perfectly true that the economic wea-
pom is capable Of misuse, as witness
Germany's policy in Russia, In a man
ner destructive OF liberty, but the For
eign Secretary saw no sign OF any cOun-
try consenting to abandon the employ
ment Of tariffs II It considered them
necessary. He believed Mr.. Thomas
would find labor would not abandon
this method Of dealing with economic
problems.
Mr.. Balfour also contended that uni
versal disarmament only was possible
II It could be proved that the new in
ternational arrangement was effective
and il 1t had machinery for keeping the
worlds peace successfully.
"The last four years." continued the
Foreign Secretary, have convinced the
nations that war is very costly, bloody
and brutal thing, but not that IL is
thing to be thrust aside.
"Frankly, looking around on the world
/ see the greatest Of nations quite as
ready TO quarrel with each other as the
most ambitions Of their predecessors"
Lord Robert Cecil, Under Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs, urged 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 pre-
pared to be put into operation immedi-
ately after the war IL there was any
prospect of its adoption, because few
years delay would, with the shortness |
Of peoples memories, result In the cool |
ing Of present enthusiasm
The difficulties In the way Of estab-
fishing and running such league were
so serious. he added, that only by the
united efforts Of all men Of good will
could it possibly be put into execution.
MAKE HIM WORK