The Washington herald., 1921-10-16

the maximum that may be conceded
at the conference.
TN THIS connection 1t is well TO
remember that on a previous &C.
casion Great Britain was the
one to propose such an. arrange
ment. This was prior to'the out
break of the world war when Lord
Haldayne suggested that Britain
and Germany enter into an agree
ment to suspend building of battle
ships for a period of five years.
even that long ago the British
realized the futility of competitive
building and sought some means of
checking il. Great Britain, il is be-
lieved would, welcome an opportun-
ity at this time TO call Off the race
with the United States in which
she realizes she will eventually b
bested. -
But while Great Britain may con-
sent to enter into an agreement to
maintain the status quo, she may
be counted upon to interpose vigor-
Gus objections to any Limitation, I'M
less all OF the powers make relative
reductions. Even then she will not
consent to go beyond a certain
point, and will have many concrete
Illustrations Of why it would prove
dangerous to do so.
The Irish Problem.
First apd nearest to home Is the
Irish problem. In the view Of
many British officials the demands
of ireland for independence, the re-
volt against British rule that has
on more than one occasion reached
the state of open warfare, would
make 1t impractical for the British
to weaken their military strength.
Her possessions in Africa are not
causing any concern at this time.
but Egypt is regarded as a source
Of possible outbreak, or danger,
and troops and ships must be re-
tanned to go there at any time.
As an aftermath OF the war
IGreat Britain assumed a large
share OF the general supervision of
affairs in Asia Minor, including
Mesopotamia and the rich oil fields.
which are so vital to Britain in
dustrially. All OF this country is
IN almost a constant state OF tur-
mol. Reconstruction and the re-
turn to normally is progressing
slowly. Great Britain will, of course
oner this as another reason why
she cannot materially weaken her
sea communications,
IDUT THE real Jewel in the
ID British crown is India. Her
foreign policy eenters about IL
Is SAID that no treaty ever is
made by Great Britain with an
oIher power without first taking in
10 consideration the possible effect
on the status OF this yaluabla nos-
session. Probably the buIk OF
British investments are in India ana
treat Britain draws from there a
large share of her wealth.
The retention Of India by Great
Britain has not been an easy. OF an
4 inexpensive task. At. odd times
she has maintained a large army
there, has lost countless thousands
killed in action. or from disease.
/ Hardly a year passes in which it is
not necessary to put down som.
KIND of revolt on the part OF the
natives. Even now there are many
movements and no end OF, propa-
ganda demanding independence for
the Indians and the movements al
ways terminate in agitatIng the
fanatical natives to an uprising,
This will be one of the strongest
arguments the British will have and
one that they may be depended
upon to make the most Of
Must Watch Europe.
Even should the Far East situa.
tion be adjusted in such a way as
to make heavy ornaments unneces-
sary in the Orient, the British would
still consider European conditions
In such turmoil as to require watch
fulness. Bolshevik Russia has a
huge standing army that is likely
AT any time to cause trouble. Po-
land, it is said, has 100000 troops
equipped and under arms. France
Is Keeping a great army virtually
mooilized for the purpose of cheek
ing Bolshevik expansion.
Any strife in Europe is Of vita,
\ concern to Great Britain, as 1t means
restriction of markets as an out
let for British proActs at a time
when 1t is vitality necessary that
sne have every possible outlet
france viii be willing TO limit her
J ornaments very materially IL Great
Britain' and the United States will