South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-01-02
World Scheme Would Pool Surplus Wealth
OF Nations and Undertake to Distribute
International Trade rs Clearing House

however. have found 20 their dis
may. that Canada, Australia. New
Zealand and South Africa have their
own ideas on the subject ana that
they intend 70 deal with their own
/ sources OF wealth in their own way.
Their attitude was summed up
when Mr.. Rowell, speaking for
/ Canada-and afterwards backed up
by Australia-bl untly told the
League assembly: Even the states
men OF the mother country, Great
Britain. for whom I have respect
admiration and affection, we do not
permit 20 settle any OF our Canad-
ian affairs"
Unless this separatist tendency can
be overcome the scheme Of imperial
self-suffiCiency must fall 20 the
ground. for it cannot be built up on
the unstable dominions IN north
Africa and Asia. Then Britain viii
ind herself practically in the same
plight as the other industrial ma
tions of the old world and may be
counted on In the end 10 get openly
behind some plan for pooling Of
raw materials. II she does so the
lineup between the Old and the new
VIII be complete and we shall see a
tremendous struggle fought out on
this issue IN the realms Of finance
and economy, If not actually on the
battlefield.
As the chief source Of raw ma
terials and the guardian Of the
other producing nations on this
hemisphere, IL Will be well for US TO
keep our eyes clear, our heads cool
and our powder dry. There will be
no real danger for a long time If we
do. but we will get into some real
, trouble If we do not.
Illusion of the Six Votes.
IN conclusion, I want TO pay my
respects 10 the great illusion Of the
six British votes" which figured so
strongly in the campaign against
the League OF Nations. Following
the events in Geneva, we can lay
that illusion alongside certain ones
put out in favor OF the League. such
as the idea that we fought in the
war on the side Of democracy" as
against imperialism.
Fact il, the granting OF votes in
the assembly 10 the British do
minions was no device OF imperial
craftsmanship 10 give Britain
strong position IN the League. Those
who knew OF conditions within the
I
this measure meant a weakening Of
that great structure rather than
strengthening it. Canada, Australia,
New Zealand, South Africa and
India We're practically made indie
pendent, for they were formally rec
Ognized before the world as nations
entitled to speak for themselves in
world affairs as we'll as 20 control
their own affairs II was a Conces-
sion they forced from Britain as
the reward for their part in the
war.
They have acted as free nations at
Geneva, In test matters it was not
the British empire that Canada
spoke for. but for herself and even
for the United States. On oriental
matters. Canada, Australia and New
Zealand lined up against Britain's
ally, Japan. Australia at times show
ed "A tendency to drift toward
friendship for France, as It did dur
ing the peace conference. South
Africa. It is true, had as it's repre-
sentative Lord Robert Cecil. cousin
Of A. J. Balfour. head Of the British
delegation, and showed no more than
a shadow of independence; but
Premier SHUTS. who made Lord
Robert the South African repre-
sentative. has since been compelled
TO announce the dissolution of his
parliament and new elections IN that
dominion.
When the Issue is drawn between
the old world and the new-between
the nations which have the mater
ials and those which want to dom
mate the manufacturing-we Will
see this separist tendency grow and
a majority Of me six votes Of the
British empire IS more likely to be
cast against England than with her.
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