The New York herald., 1921-08-14
Worlds Problems to Be Met
in New Spirit and Diffu-
sion of Power viii Help
Cooperation With U. 5.
HARVEY TO BE GREAT AID
Greco Turk Tangle Must Be
Unravelled, France to Yield
on Silesia and Russia's
Food Tragedy Ended.
By SIR PHILIP GIBBS.


Copyright. 1884, By THE New YORK HERALD.
LONDON, August 13.-I don't know
how far my readers understand the
historical change that has happened
to England during the recent weeks
that ended when the Imperial Pre-
miers returned home, after their con-
ference in London. 1t is certain that
the English people themselves. who
mostly are forgetting or are trying to
forget life's worries in holiday
spirit where sea horses come riding
below white cliffs, do not realize yet
that something of their power has
passed and that their little island so
large in history has surrendered its
absolute authority over the countries
bounded by the spirit of their race.
Yet that is what happened by a
silent revolution. hardly noticed in
its achievement though beyond calcu-
lation in future consequences.
In a recent article I pointed out
that the British dominions Of Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and South
Africa are no longer subordinate and
subservient to Britain, but are on an
equality as free peoples with freedom
in judgment and action in all poll
cies which affect the common inter-
ests of the British family of peoples
and their own self-government. This
is now being stated officially in Lon
don, though this understanding has
not been embodied in any written
character that may yet be published.
Aids Peace and Progress.
There are many who will see in
this change the beginning Of the
breakup of the British Empire and
who will rejoice accordingly il they
have grudge against it. In London
the old fogies, deep in club chairs
which seem rooted to ancient tradi-
| tions, shake their heads mournfully
and say. "Our sun is setting. Old
England has lost her place." But
see no more cause for sadness than
belongs to any father who sees his
sons grow up strong and self-reliant,
no longer obedient to his slightest
nod. no longer willing to accept his
command in all things, yet loyal to
the old man in their grown up lib
erty.
Personally l believe that timely
recognition of this altered relation
ship by British statesmen will save
the British Empire from speedy dis.
jntegration and decay at the heart,
which is England. I believe 1t will
be revitalizing spirit, good for the
peace and the progress Of humanity,
especially il there is closer asso.
citation of nations, as seems likely
row with the people Of the United
States working for the same purpose
New Spirit Nnticn's Need.
| confess that for some time after
the war l held gloomy views about
the future of Great Britain, unless
there was new spirit at work. for
with nearly a million of her best
youth killed, with staggering bur
dens of taxation. with a spiritual ex
haustion which could not support any
new wars or military expeditions and
imperial adventures dependent upon
her old, rich resources of man-power
and money, 1t was shining clear that
the British Empire could not be
maintained or extended by material
force or ruled with that touch of alb
solute authority and still less with
that arrogance which in the past was
the unchallenged privilege of British
statesmen and the administrators in
Downing Street and Whitehall.
Only by good will all around and
by complete abandonment of the old
traditions OF political and military
domination could the Empire hold to
eether. 1t has taken more than two
years for British statesmen to agree
to that view, but now they are begin
ming to shape their policy accord
iugly. Under the pressure OF eco
nomic necessity. as well as tn,
stronger pressure of liberal ideas stir
ring everywhere and not to be denied
they have called halt to the I'm
perial ambitions OF the old school ant
have accepted a new policy OF equal
ity and partnership, with free de
mocracies within the Empire ant
more self.government among tn,
subject races.
Tho fight Is not yet done. becaus,
the leaders OF the old school cling I,
their ancient privilege. but II is al
ready won. IL will be to England
gain and not to England's loss. Tha
gain has already been proved by tn,
results Of the conference of Imperia
Premiers in London. Through Tho