Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-08-23
Smuts On Britaan's Problems

DHtNtC Wv III CtUtU = 1 UUCCHGS
When Gen. Jan SHUTS was leaving Eng
land for South Africa, he issued manifesto
addressed to the people of England and the
British empire. Portions of this NAV inter
est Americans, as General SHUTS has been
brought forward rather prominently as the
real dratter of the League of Nations covenant.
We therefore abridge from the London Times
the following:
General SHUTS again expressed his sense
OF disappointment With certain features of the
treaty of Versailles, which formed the basis
OF his protest at the time that document was
signed He also reiterated former statement
that now IS the time when reconciliation"
must be written on the sky, and went on:
No, it is not case for hatred or bitterness,
but tor all-embracing pity. for extending the
helping hand to late friend and foe alike, and
tor mission of rescue work such as the world
has never seen. Europe is and will for this
generation be the greatest mission field in
which the energies of the great-hearted peo-
piles of this country and America could be
spent And the gospel will be that original
one OF good will among men," of human COM
radeship beyond the limits of nations of fell
low-teelng and common service in the great
human causes
All this applies to Europe generally but
wish to add word in reference to Germany
and Russia in particular, as the situation is too
grave to permit of any shrinking from the
irankest expression of opinion. The brutal
tact is that Great Britain is very small Island
on the fringe of the continent, and that on that
continent the 20 odd million Germans repre-
sent the most important and formidable ma
tlonal factor. You cannot have stable Eu-
rope without a stable, settled Germany; and
you cannot have stable. settled, prosperous
Hreat Britain while Europe is weltering in con-
fusion and unsettlement next door.
Russia is an even more obscure and difficult
problem than Germany and one on which no
dogmatic opinion would be justified But from
all the INFORMATION which has come into my
possession | am seriously doubtful about the
sort or policy which we seem to be pursuing
there: Russia can only be saved internally by
Russians themselves working on Russian
methods and ideas. She is case of national
pathology, of people with sick soul, and
only Russian ideas could work cure Our
military forces our lavish contributions of
tanks and other war material may temporarily |
bolster up the one side, but the real magnitude |
OF the problem is quite beyond such expedients |
Leave Russia alone, remove the blockade,
adopt a policy of friendly neutrality and Gal
lio-lke impartia1ity to all factions. 1t may
well be that the only ultimate hope for Russia
is sobered purified Soviet system; and that
may be far better than the Tsarism to which
our present policy seems inevitably tending.
1t we have to appear on the Russian scene at
all. let it be as impartial benevolent friends
partsans. Be patient with sick Russia, give
her time and sympathy, and await the results
OF her convaescence.
We have good deal to set in order in our
own house. The dominions have been we'll
launched on their great career; their status of
complete nationhood has now received inter-
national recognition, and as members of the
Britannia league they will henceforth 90 for
ward on terms of equal brotherhood with the
other nations on the great paths of the world.
The successful launching of her former colo
MES among the nations Of the world, while
they remain members of inner Britannia
circle. will ever rank as of the most out
standing achievements of British political
genius Forms and formulas may still have
to BE- readjusted, but the real work is done.
There still remains the equally important
task Of properly locating the great Dependent
cratic British league Recent severe troubles
IN both dependencies mentioned serve to re-
mind us that time must be lost in boldly
graphing with this problem. 1t is task to
oe approached in an open mind and with the
liked determination here, too, to realize those
of freedom and self-government
without which this empire cannot continue to
'xist in the new time.
But most pressing of all constitutional prob
ems IN the empire is the Irish question. 1t
las become chronic wound, the septic ef-
ects of which are spreading to our whole sys-
5 now beginning to poison Our most vital for !
ign relations. Unless the Irish question is |
ettled on the great principles which form the
'asis of this empire, this empire must cease
o exist The fact that Irishmen cannot be
made to agree may have been good reason !,
or not forcing on solution during the war; !
ut now after peace the question should be t
'odly grappled with. Our statesmen have
ust come back from Paris, where they have $
ealt with racial problems like that of Ireland 1
nd in every way as difficult as the Irish prob
EN-. They may not shrink from applying to
reland the same medicine that they have ap-
lied to Bohemia and many another part of I
Europe.
And this brings me to say finally word 7
n questions of more domestic character in
his country. There are difficult days ahead
or this country, and this nation will be tested -,
S never before in the searching times that are
oming. The greatest hurricane in history is
aging over the world, and it is idle to expect :,
nat we shall be able to shelter ourselves from
$ effects Vast changes are coming, and are
lready beginning to loom into sight There 7"
no formula or patent medicine that will see
S through this crisis.
One Solution for Unrest Problem.
A London clergyman predicts that the world
i'll come to an end this year. That would be Sc