South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-01
GREAT BRITAIN
IS DESTROYING
MIDDLE CLASS
Former Lord Chancellor Gives
Views Regarding PeO-
pie of England.

possible a Few months agO.
A new world 10 for heroes 10 live
in which was an ideal Of the war
mas not yet been fully attained at
home and international problems
which brought on the war still are
hanging over the head OF the nation
Yst the British people are trying to
face the future in an invIncible faith
in the nations ability 20 conquer all
troubles.
LLOYD George Cheerful.
The most cheerful optimist Of all
- Premier Lloyd George Under the
leadership OF his undagging faith
hat everything viii work out for
The best. the clouds OF dcspondency.
pictured by the newspapers as thick
st when the chancellor of the ex-
chequer declared that the nation was
heading for bankruptcy, say BritOns
nave visibly lifted.
A foremost cause for confidence is
the steady commercial revival and
cessation of labor troubles, which
BritOns hope viii continue. These
give ground for prediction by optim-
ists that Great Britain will return 20
normal conditions sooner than other
great European countries which en-
gagged in the war.
Look Ahead.
Manufacturers in many lines have
business booked far ahead The cot
ton trade. one OF the basic British
industries. is said to have all the or
ders it can MI for the next i've
- ears.
Shipbuilders say they are in the
same happy condition. They have
vet 10 be convinced that America
will be able 10 take away the former
British supremacy in the carrying
trade. They base their confidence on
The belief that while the British are
"a seafaring race. the Americans are
not
Apparently they believe that
American ships built in the war are
destined 10 De bought eventually by|
distinctly maritime nations. Their
confidence however. is not irOn-clad.
Lord Incheape told the shareholders
OF one Great Britain steamship COM
pany that. If the American govern
nent turned over its ships to. private
afraid. but il the American people
@,ere 20 Zoe taxed to build up their
mercantile marine, the outlook FOR
The shipping industry in these islands
was nothing but rosy.
bankers Confident.
British bankers aud merchants
look forward TO a great increase of
Ausiness with South America i'm 1920.
They expect TO hold their pre-war
customers ard 10 gain much OF what
Germany lost They profess to dis
count the prospect that the United
States will acquire control Of the
South American field
Many nations are anxious 20 buy
from Great Britain. How some Of
them can pay is a problem. The de-
cline in exchange rates had a de
pressing effect on American trade
but exchange with France. Italy and
smaller markets is favorable to Great
Britain.
Against these reasons for business
confidence stand two handicaps in
the form Of financial and labor con-
ditions The national debt appears
appalling TO the British public but
optimists argue that il is smaller
Than was the debt after the Napo-
leOnig wars. measured by the COun-
TVS wealth and potential producing
power.
The question Of clearing the decks
10y some form OF a capital levy is
still n the front and may be one
~ the burning political questions of
he year.
Rail Problem.
The naturalization Of mines and
railways Is another British problem
and with il are linked questions of
hours and wages which confront all
Industries alike and which England
shares with America. tt has been
said that Great Britain's recovery
after the Napoleonic wars was pos
sible through underpaid labor bA
British employers do not expect this
10 be among the assets of the future.
On the contrary. many industrial
say British industry is fac
ing a question whether the steady in
crease In wages may not become
dangerous handicap in competition
with Other countries
Labor has other prospective bene-
FITS in the promise OF Premier Lloyd
Georges great scheme for building
comfortable workmen's homes
throughout the country. which is
lust beginning 20 materialize. and in
plans for insurance against unem-
ployment which have not yet devel-
oped The principle OF the latter
plan Is that all men out OF work
through no fault o. their own shall
be assured OF a respectable living as
a right. without any faint OF paup-
eriSm.
Fear Ireland.
Ireland still il regarded as one Of
the governments most difficult and
threatening domestic problems. Early
. forecasts or the new home rule bill
met nothing but opposition from all
Irish factions. The Sim Fein. with
"A majority OF the irish votes, threat
sued 20 boycott the scheme as IL
bsroycotts the British parliament
India and Egypt are being weigh
ed in the balance with hopes and
fears as intense as those conferred
upon Ireland India will see In the
new year the beginning Of the pro-