Evening star., 1926-11-21
BRITISH EMPIRE FORMING
INTERNAL TRADE COMBINE
Offsets Great Economic Power of United
States and Proposed Federation
of European Nations.

but I think 1t is true. Certainly at
this imperial conference the Irish
representatives have not been un-
| friendly or obstructive.
Regarding that grim question of a
future war it is frankly and fully
acknowledged by Irish leaders at
present in power that Ireland and
England are mutually dependent in
self-defense and if one goes down both
go down. Any threat against Eng
lands national life or imperial Sc
curity will be sure to find Ireland by
her side in fullest loyalty. Self-interest,
spart from all sentiment. dictates
that policy. In the economic sphere
Ireland also recognizes that she be.
longs to the same world as England
and that there can be no divorce Of
interests or ambitions.
England Is Ireland's Market.
England is Ireland's market for cat
tie, butter, eggs and agricultural
produce. English poverty means Irish
poverty, English prosperity, Irish
prosperity. 1t is that knowledge
which makes for union and cooper
alton.
Ireland will keep her own Minis
terS abroad. She has her independent
place in the League Of Nations. She
has already asked for a seat on the
League Council. But In all matters
by political or economic interests
Irish votes will support Great Britain
and her foreign policy.
All that is very interesting. It Is
in many ways characteristic Of other
dOminions much older in self govern
ment than Ireland.
AS result of this imperial confer
ence two or three things emerge
which will alter world combinations
and economic history. That league
Of English-speaking or mainly Eng
disappearing nations called tho Brit
ish empire will undoubtedly become
a separate economic group, with a
free exchange Of merchandise and raw
materials; pooling their resources; ar
ranging prices for their markets;
avoiding cut-throat competition with
In their own spheres; economiZing in
management. and sCndardiZing their
production. 1t is part of a general
world movement which slowly but un-
mistakably is at work in creating
large combinations and groups for
economic welfare. The iron and steel
combine between France, Germany,
Belgium and other European coun-
tries Is one symptom of this new ar
rangement.
United States of Europe.
That dream of II. G.. Wells Of
United States Of Europe is not so
fantastic as it seemed two months
ago, and is likely to be fulfilled par
TALLY, not SO much by political union
as by economic necessity, to avoid de-
structive competition between small
units. One sees therefore three great
groups, selfcOntained, closely bound.
acting together to safeguard or ex-
tend their industrial and commercial
activities. They are the United
States Of America, the British empire
and Central Europe. 1t Is premature
to say these things have happened.
They are only beginning, apart from
the United States Of America
But in that imperial conference sit
ting in London matters have gone be-
yond mere discussion. England's CAPT
tai and credit are to be freely used in
developing tn. natural resources Of
Canada and Australia, encouraging
emigration from England, facilitating
trade communication and organizing
better methods of marketig imperial
goods.
In all this I see no commercial
threat against other countries. and
least Of all America. British pros
lead Immediately and directly to in.
creased wealth of the United States.
Certain articles may be dearer, but
there will be Il greater purchasing
power for American produce. These
things adjust themselves according to
natural laws. and in the long run the
prosperity Of one nation leads to bet
ter chances for prosperity all around.
That's how 1t seems to me, though
I may be wrong, not being good at
arithmetic. 1 am better perhaps in
estimating human values, and I
believe what is happening behind the
scenes at this imperial conference Is
not any tail-wagging Imperialism,
threatening other powers as some
might suspect on ancient records. but
quiet arrangements among the Brit.
tsh family Of nations for safeguarding
world peace as far as may be hy their
common policy and interests. That's
not bad for the world.
(Copyrght. 1920