Evening star., 1921-03-27
BRITISH FACE -FOUR
BATTLING ISSUES
Ireland, Russia, RhineIand
and Mission to U. S. En-
gage Attention.
BY EDWARD PRICE BELL.
BY Gable to The Star and OhicaRo Daily New
CoDyriEht 1921

~ S~~AS ~ LIE our Au0 OnlC1g0 Oa1ly NeW0,
Copyright. 1921.
LONDON, England. March 25.-Rus-
sia, Ireland. the Rhineland, and the
question whether or not Britain will
send an envoy or mission to the Hard
ing administration is engaging the
attention Of the foreign Office. ,p.,
Small economic results are expect
ed at present from the trade agree
ment with the soviet government.
Important economic results did not
seem probable from the first. It was
thought however. that an agreement
would do no harm. economically, and
might do some good politically. 1t is
felt that the sooner Russia il brought
into reciprocal relations with the nom
soviet nations, the sooner bolshevism
will be worn down and DESTROYED,
Britain's contact with bolshevism has
not caused her to fear such contact;
instead Of bolshevism spreading into
this country from its knowledge of
1t, bolshevism has lost ground here
in proportion to the increase of Brit
ish understanding Of the doctrine.
Russia Like Volcano.
All trading with Russia now is
recognized as exceedingly difficult.
Russia is boiling. To try to trade
with her is like trying to trade with
volcano. Late official information
represents Lenin as almost in despair.
Ireland is a subject of anxious in
terest at the foreign Office. It is real
lied that the governments difficulties
there are prejudicing the foreign re-
lations of Britain to a greater or less
extent. But the foreign Office hopes
that the outside world will appreciate
the strength Of Brtains argument
against the dismemberment Of the
empire and will perceive that tho
course OF events in Ireland has fol-
lowed merely upon the policy Of striv-
ing to ouell the rebellion and protect
lives and property in the law-abiding
sections
Moreover. it takes comfort in the
rising tide of English opinion against
the acts OF the Sim Feiners. It fan
cies with England, Scotland and
Wales solid for the principle OF inn
to interfere.
Germany Marking Time.
Touching the Rhineland. the foreign
ONCE is expecting no sensational de-
velopments: 1t thinks Germany 10
marking time while estimating the
actual results of the acts Of tho allies.
If 1t appears that Germany rather
than the allies will suffer, or that
Germany will suffer more from the
occupation than she will from ac-
quiescing in it. she is expected to
take steps to get the allied troops
back across the Rhine. Further oc-
cupations Of German territory and
wider measures OF fiscal pressure are
not ruled out of the calculations.
VIII Britain send an envoy or mis-
sion to interview President Harding?
Report says she will. Lord Lee, first
lord OF the admiralty, as every one
knows, wishes very much to have an
exchange of views as to whether an
agreement between Britain and tho
United States on naval construction
is possible. However. as vet the ques-
tion Of action has not arisen.
There has been a suggestion that
Herbert Asquith. the former premier,
be sent to the United States to dis
cuss Anglo-American interests with
the new administration. This sug-
gestion is officially secuted. An en-
voy or mission may be sent but no.
body ia prepared to speak definitely
at the present time.