The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1919-02-15
BY LLOYD ALLEN,
Special Staff Correspondent.

near EaStG'
That is a question that is uppermost
In the minds of a large section of the
governing class of England. Men who
have led British political thought for
wears believe that we SHOULD assume
some of the responsibility of governing
the lands captured from the Germans
md Turks" as n 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 well the destI-
MES of a less-enlightened people.
Secondly, at 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
his delicate subject of empire" it is
stated by several prominent propa-
gandists.
Division of Colonies.
At this stage of the peace negotia-
lions the question of dividing the col
onies is q matter on which no public
man is anxious to go on record. But
nnofficially 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
and above all other subjects, forma-
lion of a league of nations. once
these are disposed of the colonial knot
will probably be quickly cut.
It 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 emain
as a 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 s~elf-govern-
ment. like Canada and Australia, and
must then be given every freedom to
determine her w 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
ndministration-and it is admitted
many of these days would prove irk-
some and expensive-America would
be answerable to the league of nations
for her actions in the territory held in
trust, just as the other European pow
ers, England, France and Italy, will be
nnswerable to the league of nations
for any maladministration of subject
peoples.
In brief, intelligent England is rec
ommending for world consideration a
new form of colonial control, with the
feeling that the world has outgrOwn
the days when a Spanish tyrant could
terrorize Cuba, or a brutalized Ger
man government could commit atroci-
ties in South Africa.
There is in America a somewhat
general belief that the average Brit
ish citizen takes great pride in the
large colonial possessions of his coun-
try; that he gloats with much salts
faction over the fact hat Great Brit
ain controls something like o%ne-quar-
or of the inhabitable portions of the
world.
Our ideas on this subject are not
exactly correct. There is a large ele-
ment in the citizenship of this. coun-
try that is dead against the proposal
10 acquire any more territorial posses
sions. In fact, among the Labor party,
which is showing Unusual strength
these days, there is a firm conviction
hat India must soon be allowed to
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
IF the uncivilized colonial peoples, and
| ~ i~llIpluCllS lIiO tNlOUldl government
number of reforms-prohibition of
he sale of alcohol to natives, first of
Il, and next the establishment of well
are departments calculated to better
he living conditions of the natives.
Much effort is being expended here
n England to start fundamental re-
forms in the attitude toward the col
aninC. Rnnl1ntG oro hoinn iccIJnH md
are just off the press. One entitled
windows of Freedom" carries an in
reduction by Viscount Grey.
"America's Place in World Govern
13ent' is given considerable space. It
IS strongly pointed out that none of
the territories outside Europe de-
taehed by this war from the German
md Turkish empires can in the near
future provide peace, order and good