Evening star., 1924-11-02
AFTER-WAR LIBERALISM
GETS BLOW In ENGLAND
Russian Ogre Aids in Return of Conser-
vative Rule-Labor Custer Nav
Hit HerriOt.

reconcile the British viewpoint with the
disciples of Moscow, his toe struck a
snag.
Much as the ultra-liberals of the
world would have every one believe that
Russia is now pure in heart, after hav-
ing wiped from her hands the blood Of
millions of people whose only sin was
political disagreement, the clear-think-
ing people of the continent know that
Russia is not yet ready to forsake far
reaching plans of revolutionizing the
world and bringing to pass an interna-
tional communistic state.
With the experience of Russia to gaze
back upon. and with the chaotic condi-
tion of Russia at present, it could not
be expected that clear-headed. far-seeing
Engfishmen would countenance for a
moment any trend that might put Eng
land in position of condoning commu-
nistic policies and forms of government.
The so-called Zinovieff letter was the
match that touched off English opposi-
ton. Macdonald and his Laborites,
being the chief representatives of So
clallStic liberalism in England naturally
suffered, in spite of the many other good
works in development of foreign policies
Effect on World Affairs.
The defeat of Macdonald undoubt-
edly will have tremendous weight
in the plans OF other nations.
notably France. Premier Herriot
now is without a playmate in inter
national affairs. Many of the things
the two premiers have concocted for
the good of the continent either
not dropped completely from gov
ernmental reckoning. One of the
chiefest of the proposed plans look
ing toward the world regeneration
and which could not have proceeded
as far as it has had it not been for
the strong support of socialistic
regimes is the question of disarma-
ment.
The general question of militar%
curtailment was broached in TN
League of Nations through the in
strumentality of the British anu
French premiers. Their satellites
naturally fell in with their plans and
as a result general plan of cur
failing the instruments of war in
order 10 preclude the possibility OF
war was devised. Methods of pre-
venting nations from flying in the
face of concerted world opinion were
concocted in the shape of a protocol
to the League of Nations covenant.
This protocol now is before various
governments for consideration. Next
ment is to be held under the exist
ing plan.
Will this protocol of the league be
sustained by Conservative govern
ment in England? Will the fall Of
Macdonald influence and cryStallize
the Conservative thought of France to
n point of overthrowing Herriot. and
will the two conservative regimes of
France and Britain unite to alter
ls.-, ,,1o ,F al:
they remain committed to the social
istic theories? These are questions of
the hour.
Disarmament Desired.
In SO far as England is concerned
aid materially in plans looking to-
ward disarmament. The best ele-
mentS of the Liberal and Conserva
tive parties since the war have done
much toward this end, but it remain
ed for Macdonald to actually achieve
worldwide sanction for a definite
plan. 1t is known the Conservatives
of England view with suspicion the
tremendous military establishments
of France and of Frances allies
among the smaller nations. The ques-
tion had large bearing on England :
| refusal to consider war debt reduc-
/ tion under the previous Baldwin re-
gime and undoubtedly will continue
a factor in the future. Lord Curzon,
Conservative, who again may assume
the post of foreign minister, has on
occasion abruptly voiced his views
against continued tremendous mill
tary establishment on the continent
For this reason it is believed Eng
land generally will take some stand
in behalf of the league plan of dis
armament. The method by which
| England will align herself with other
| nations in the application Of sane
tions against recalcitrant nations,
however, possibly may be modified
! under British pressure. This feature
likewise would meet with opposition
from France should Herriot be over
thrown and another bitter end gov
ernment of the Poincare type b
seated.
The British election undoubtedly
will have a great influence on the
future of disarmament and England :
aftiliation with others in general plan
of restoring economic, financial and
social stability on the continent but
tthe trends cannot be forecast at the
moment with any degree of accuracy.
UnQuestiona bly, the Conservative gov
nment'S attitude will be Influenced
by the position of the British do
| minions, some of which, notably Aus
tralia. are radically opposed to the
league protocol in its present shape.
Though Conservative rule in Eng
| land may be expected to grid itself
for continued struggle against labor
and the more liberal elements in
British political life, it must be ad-
m1tted with all fairness that the
Labor regime, short-lived as it was,
did much to promote the cause OF
democracy in the empire.