The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1919-02-28
BY LLOYD ALLEN,
Special Staff Correspondent.

| SPeCidI SLdH correspondents
Copyright, Western Newspaper Union.l
London.--"EFin America be willing
TO take on some of the German col
onies or Turkish possessions in the
near East?"
That is question that is uppermost
| in tire minds of large section of the
| governing class of England. Men who
have led British political thought for
| years 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 a
double reason back of this idea.
First of all, America is an English
speaking nation that can be trusted to
administer wisely and we'll the desti.
MES of a less-enlightened people.
Secondly, at is only through actua.
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" it is
stated by several prominent propa-
gandiSts.
Division of Colonies.
At this stage of the peace negotia-
tons the question of dividing the col
onies is matter on which no public
man is anxious to so on record. But
unofficially the subject is attracting
wide attention. Too many interests
are involved to invite outspOken dis
cussion. There are larger problems
that must first be solved: The limita-
ton of ornaments, freedom of the seas
ton of a 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
belief that America, if she is to remain
as leading factor in world politics.
must go into the colony business.
Should such a course be embarked
on by the United States, should we
take, for instance, the administration
of Palestine and Armenia and possibly
some of the former German lands in
South Africa, it would be put on the
same platform that the best elements
in England accept for India; namely
that sooner or later India will develop
into a dominion capable of self-govern-
ment. like Canada and Australia, and
must then be given every freedom to
determine her own destiny.
The same principles would apply to
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.
AnswerabIe to League of Nations.
Through all the days Of American
administration-and it is admitted
many of these days would prove irk-
some and Xpensive-America would
he answerable to the league of nations
for her actions in the territory held in
trust, just as the other European pow
nrs England, France and Italy, will be
ansWcrabIe TO the league of nations
for any maladministration of subject
peoples.
In brief, intelligent England is rec
0nm nding for world consideration q
| new form of colonial control, with the
! feeling that the world has OutGrown
he days when Spanish tyrant could
| reHrGriZc Cuba, or 4 brutaliZed Ger
| man government could commit atr0ci-
ties in South Africa.
There is in America q somewhat
general belief that the average Brit
ISL citizen takes great pride in the
| large colonial possessions of his coun-
try: that he gloats with much salts
| faction over the fact that Great Brit,
ain controls something like one-quAr-
Ter Of the inhabitable portions of the
| world.
Our ideas on this subject are not
exactly correct. There is a large ele
mcnt in the citizenship of this conn
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 a firm conviction
that India must soon be allowed tc
say what her government shall be
Problems to Be Solved.
Here we have another side of the
problem that many predict will be
solved by providing for enlightenment
Of the uncivilized colonial peoples, and
by introducing into colonial government
number of reforms-prohibition IF
the sale of alcohol to natives, first of
all, and next the establishment of well
fare departments calculated to better
the living conditions of the natives.
Much effort is being expended here
in England to start fundamental re.
forms in the attitude toward the col
Onies. Booklets are being issued and
are just off the press. One entitled
'Windows of Freedom" carries an in.
PRODUCTION by Viscount Grey.
"America's Place in World Govern
ment" is given considerable space. 1t
| lie, eSfY.n ,r1Ty Sy,{o ~.