New-York tribune., 1920-08-10
British People
Firmly Oppose
Another w ar
Voice of Nation Outspoken
Against Armed Action,
Even if Friendship of
France Should Be Lost
Little Sympathy for Poles
All Classes Join Labor i'm
Protest; Parties United
to Keep Empire at Peace
From The Trtbuno's European 4Bureau

From The Tr1bu1,e's European sBuredu
Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Aug. 9.--For the last
twenty-four hours Great Britain has
been living at high tension. To find q
August, 1914, but even in that Hateful
month conditions were not exactly
similar. The people now thoroughly
appreciate the heavy consequences of a
intention of disregarding the hard les
sons learned in the last six years.
els it war or peace ?" is the one ques-
ton asked everywhere and the general
answer is "peace" Such volume of
protest against war was never before
raised in any land and the British
statesmen at Hythe could not fail to
hear the country's voice, or ignore it.
With all the excitement and uqcer-
tainty there has been total absence
of panic or anything approaching
alarm. The protest comes as rum
bling thunder in the distance, fore
runner OIL u ucdSy oIO1 uI.
Protest Is Widespread
There is no sympathy here for the
Bolsheviki and not much for the Poles.
Just one thought runs through the mass
of the British people-that is, to avoid
war;. even if it costs the friendship
of their ally, France. That is strong
statement, but there are plenty of facts
to offer in its support If this fierce
objection to war were confined simply
to labor, it would be understandable,
but it includes representatives of all
political parties and all classes of So
ciety. The people are protesting be-
cause they see no challenge to their
country, no immediate danger to them
selves.
Trade union organizations in every
part Of the country have adopted reso-
lutions condemning military measures
against Russia and threatening to join
in a general strike if they are taken.
That the workers are in earnest there
is not the slightest doubt, and they
are capable of paralyzing the country.
Herbert Asquith and the members of
the Independent Liberal party and
Lord Robert Cecil with his group of
Independent Conservatives are equally
adamant against precipitate action
with regard to Russia.
1t cannot be emphasized too strongly
that this attitude must not be inter
preted as Bolshevism. What is
decidedly painful to every one with
national pride Is that the Entente
leaders have drifted into an embar-
RAISING diplomatic position and it is
difficult to find an exit which will not
lead to lowering Of their prestige.
Strained Relations Inevitable
Previously dissatisfaction between
the British and French had been con-
fined chiefly to the French, who found
much cause for complaint in the Brit
ish policy, but now the English have
begun to criticize and they have less
regard for the language of diplomacy
when they are annoyed. If the situa-
tion clears, there are bound to be
strained relations between the British
and French for some little time.
All this is considered extremely un-
fortunate. for the Franco British alli-
ance had been considerably strength
ened at Spa.
LONDON, Aug. 8 (By The Associated
Press).-The Independent Liberals met
in the House Of Commons tonight and
passed a resolution protesting against
any Intervention against Russia by way
of a blockade. men, money or munf-
tions.
The Independent Liberals in the Com
mons number about thirty.