The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-02-11
BY LLOYD ALLEN,
sbeclal Staff Correspondent.

IOndOn.--"Will America nc Niu'hs
TO take on some Of. the German col !
onles or Turkish possessions in the
near Easti"
That is a question that is uppermosr
In the minds of n large section oil the
governing class of England. Men who
have led British political thought TOR
wears believe that we "should assume
some of the responsibility of governing
the lands captured from the Germans
and Turks. as one leading British
publicist told me recently. There Is
double reason back of this idea.
First of all, America is an English
speaking nation that can be trusted to
administer wisely and well the desti-
MES Of less-enlightened people.
Secondly, ut IS only through actual
participation in the responsibilities OF
looking after far-away colonies that
America can ever appreciate the true
state Of mind of the British people OF
all classes. upper, middle and lower, on
this delicate subject of empire" 1t Is
stated by several prominent propa-
gandists.
Division Of Colonies. n
All this stage of the peace negotia-
tons the question of dividing the col
onies is a matter on which no public
man is anxious to go on record. But
unoffieially the subject is attracting
vide attention. Too many interests
are involved to invite outspoken dis
cussion. There are larger problems
that must first be solved: The llimita'
ton Of ornaments, freedom of the seas
and above all other subjects, forma'
don Of league Of nations. Once
these are disposed Of the colonial knot
will probably be quickly cut.
1t is with Implicit faith in the ulti-
mate outcome Of these basic affairs
that the intelligent Briton outlines his
i belief that America, II she Is TO remain
| as q leading factor in world politics,
must 70 into the colony business.
| Should such a course be embarked
| on by the United States, should we
4 take. for instance, the administration
+ of Palestine and Armenia and possibly
4 some OF the former German lands In
Il South Africa, 1t would be put on the
same platform that the best elements
!, In England accept for India; namely
,tlhat sooner or later India VIII develop
into dominion capable Of self-goyern-
! ment. like Canada and Australia, and
+. -must then be given every freedom to
determine her own destiny.
The same principles would apply 10
, the subject African states-ultimate
freedom to choose whether or not the
ties that bind to The mother country
must be cut, or allowed to remain.
Answerable 20 League Of Nations.
Through oil the days of American
administration it is admitted
E many OF these days would prove irls
some and expensiye-Amerlca would
, be answerable to the league Of nations
for hcr actions in the territory held IN
trust. lust as the other European pow
ers, England, France and Italy, viii bC
. answerable to the league Of nation.
for any maladministration Of subject
1 peoples.
In brief. intelligent England IS rec
ommshding Tor world consideration {
new form OF colonial control, with th'
4 feeling that the world has outgrowr
the days when Spanish tyrant coult
terrorzc Cuba. or brutalized Ger
man government could commit atroci
ties in South Africa.
There is IN America n somewha
general belief that the average Brit
lsh. citizen takes great pride in thu
large colonial possessions Of his couIl
try; that he gloats with much salts
faction over the fact that Grea Brit
ain controls something Ike ouequar
ter Of the inhabiiablc portions Of th'
I world
z Our ideas on this subject are no
: exactly correct. Thcre is a large eie
|, ment In the citizenship Of this coun
try that is dead against the propose
to acquire any more territorial posses
sions. In fact, among the Labor party
which is showing unusual strength
these days, there is firm conviction
that India must soon be allowed Z
say what her government shall be.
Problems to BE Solved.
IS Here we have another side Of th
problem that many predict will b
solved by providing for enlightenment
Of the unclvilized colonial peoples, an
by introducing into colonial government
number OF reforms-prohlhitlon q
the sale Of alcohol to natives, first O
all. and next the establishment Of wei
fare departments calculated TO bette
the living conditions OF the natives.
Much effort Is being expended her
in England to start fundamental re
forms IN the attitude toward the co
onles. Booklets are being issued an
are Just off the press one entltle
"Windows OF Freedom" carries IN in
PRODUCTION by viscount Grey
"America's Place In World Govern
ment' Is given considerable space, |
is strongly pointed out that 'nonc q
the territories outside Europe d,
. tached by this war from the Gcrmn
i and Turkish empires can In the nea
= future provide peace, order and goo