The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-03
LIBERALS OBJECT
TO ECONOMIC WAR
Lloyd Georges Threat to APP
ply Trade Weapon to Ger
many Is Criticised.

LONDON. Aug. c.-Sharp dissent to
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 a
dele CATION from the National Union OF
Manufacturers yesterday. IL expressed
through by the Liberal press. and the
Premier's view. it is said, will not be
Endorsed in America.
Quoting the phrase The longer the
war lasts the sterner must be the eco
num!o terms we impose on the foe
used by Mr.. Lloyd George in his ad-
dress, the Chronicle says;
We doubt very muca whether that is
how President Wilson views the ques-
ton. 1t is certainly not the view OF
American opinion generally. Americans
attach great Importance to the eco
nomic weapon which the Allies acting
together could WELD. but the Ameri-
cans do not wish 1t welded with vim
dictive purpose for any hxed period
after the war. 1t will not be possible
to carry out both the American policy
| and Lloyd Georges policy. They are
alternative, not supplementary
American Policy Liberal.
"rhe 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 Ners says: 1T is idle for
Lloyd George or any other statesman to
maintain that the spirit underlying a
league OF nations is reconcllable with
the spirit underlying and inspiring the
protective tarff. We must choose one or
the other. 1t !s question OF the policy
OF Wilson or the policy OF the Paris res
olutions
"lf American views on the Paris reso-
lutious have been uneSpresssd In official
documents they nave been expressed re-
peatedly and unequIvocally in President
Wilson's speeches, which have preached
a gospel utterly incompatible with the
perpetuation OF hostility through an eco
nomic war"
Conservative papers, on the other
hand, generally indorse the Premier's
address, although some accuse him of
being indefinite.
Refers to Wilson Phrase.
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 we'll as other problems between
America and England. II cites the
phrase used by President Wilson in his
Mount Vernon address mo half way de-
cision Is tolerable," and says;
Germany is hardly likely to believe
that the Allies mean what President
Wilson thus said for them as long as
they fail to take what Lord Robert Cecil
Under Secretary OF State for Foreign
Affairs, described the otheF day as all
steps required to destroy the economic
basis of Germany's military effort"
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,
Baifour Sees Lack of Plan.
Foreign Secretary Balfour. in reply.
complained that he had heard no really
practical suggestions from members for
the attainment or the objects they all
had In view nor any indication where
an international police force to enforce
contracts between nations could be
found
Inquest he continued, a league
of nations could not afford TO deprive
Its armory or economic weapons. 1t is
perfectly true that the economic weapon
is capable OF misuse, as witness Ger
manys policy in Russia, in "A manner
| destructive Of liberty, but the Foreign
Secretary saw no sign of any country
| consenting to abandon the employment
| OF tariffs II 1t considered them neces-
! sary He believed Mr.. Thomas would
find labor would not abandon this
method of dealing with economic prob
| lens.
Mr.. Balfour also contended that uni
versal disarmament only was possible
| II it could be proved that the new inter-
! national arrangement was effective and