Evening star., 1924-01-25
|LABORITE REACTION
FELT IN D0MINlONS
British Fear Trouble in Possessions
Because of Political
Upheaval.
ENVOY TO RUSSIA PLEAsEs
Believe Soviet Recognition Will
Dispel Propaganda.
BY HAL O'FLAHERTY.

BY Radio to The Star and the Chicago Daily
News. Copyright, 1924.
LONDON. January 25.-Many Eng
lishmen who are widely experienced
in empire affairs are filled with grave
misgivings as to the reaction of the
labor government upon the dominions,
as well as the protectorates.
They read press accounts today of
outbursts in Australia against So
cialist supremacy in the mother coun-
try. while from India and other points
in the far east come stories of seeth-
ing unrest and threats of political
violence.
Lord Sidenham. in a letter to the
Morning Post. declares that the Brit
ish nation has abandoned its trust in
Egypt, where the triumph OF Zaphlul
Will accelerate the undoing of Brit
ish labors for the past forty years.
Disruption In India.
But Egypt" he writes, lis small
compared with India, with $4,000. 900
OF the most heterogeneous peoples
ever brought under = civilized gov
ernment. Here we decided to intro
duce the blessings OF democracy, but
here, too. the recent British elections
will quicken the course of disruption
already well advanced.
I'm India We can watch the rapid
crumbling Of an empire and the de-
struction of the wonderful work to
which generations of Britons gave
their lives"
The socialist ministers listen to
these warnings of impending catas-
trophe with mild amusement. They
believe that previous ruthless admin
istrations OF British authority, both
In India and Egypt have. brought
ABOUT ot the p present state OF unrest
better relations by notifications in
administration more in keeping with
modern ideas Of international broth
erhood.
This does not mean that they are
willing to withdraw British troops
from India and Egypt. or either. for
that matter. but gradually they hope
to make the maintenance Of expen-
sive garrisons unnecessary.
Meanwhile, Macdonald's govern
ment cannot change the administra-
tion of these protectorates without
the consent of the house of COM
mons. Every move in the direction
of granting Egypt and India a great
er share of independe will be
closely watched by the conservatives.
who will combat any measure which
tampers with military or civil con-
troll.
Effect OF Soviet Recognition.
Premier Macdonald believes that
recognition Of the Russian soviet re-
public must aid materially in secur-
ing peaceful conditions along the
India frontier. Bolshevik propagan-
da, which In some measure Is re-
sponsible for the outrages on the
the borders Of Afghanistan, would
automatically cease with the appear
ance of the British ambassador at
Moscow.
Many other pressing problems mus,
come Immediately before Macdonald In
his capacity as foreign minister
among them ratification Of the Lau-
same treaty. ratification Of the Tan
gier conventions with Zagflul's gov
ernment. and rectihcation Of the Anglo.
Italian colonial frontiers
Personal friends OF Macdonald say
he already shows traces of fatigue
Owing to the fact that his colleagues
are inexperienced and apt to commit
biunders, he must keep watchfu
eye on their faltering steps, while
bearing the whole burden Of the two
most important offices. His physical
endurance In the past has proved su.
perb, but the premiership at London
like the presidency at Washington, is
becoming too burdensome even for the
strongest.