Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-28

news of the world for the
seven DAYS ended F'ebru-
airy 81:
The British Empire.-The three day
conference of the Liberal party re-
Gently held in London to cons!ue'
Ilovd Georges scheme of land nation
alization and related proposals result
ed in compromise resolutions ~
other words. the scheme was not
adonted. That scheme is based on the
renort of a very able committee rem
dared after many months intensive
study of all phases of the agricultural
n,.oblem. 1t contemplates quiet
acrarian revolution, the state to pc
come landlord and to distribute the
land equitably, tenure to be the EQUIV,
alent Of ownership so long as the laiu
is properly worked. The present land
lords lack the capital for conslderapie
developments. With the state LOT
Ia ndlord there would be no such lack.
II is Lloyd Georges idea that under
his scheme Britain would become sell
suff1cing in respect of absolutely eS
sential foodstufs-would not in case
of war be in danger of starvation, as
during the Great War.
There he many who say that Lloyd
George was fighting at the conference
for his political bacon-that defeated
he NAV be considered definitely down
and out 1t seems to me, to the con
trary, that he is likely to be heard
from to important effect so long as
he retains his vigor. The land issue
is worthy Of his powers. Let US hope
he has only just begun to fight, for
there is no greater necessity for Brit
ain than the necessity of land
reform, perhaps not quite 50 drastic
as Lloyd Georges scheme, but still
very, very drastic.
The budget of the Australian COM
monwealth for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1926, calls for an expenditure
of f56,619,000 the estimate of revenue
being f57.574 900. The fiscal year
1925 ended with a surplus of about
f3, 000, 900, whereof f1,500,000 will be
expended during the present fiscal
veal. for naval construction and $780,
debt of Australia on June 80, 1925,
was f431 900 900. The war debt has
been reduced by f22 100000 during the
past three years.
During each of the three years
ended with 1924 about $4,000 assisted
immigrants entered Australia. A
yearly average of about $4,000 as
sisted immigrants is expected during
the next 10 years.
The Australian government pro
poses to submit to the Commonwealth
Parliament in the near future a I'VE
year defense program which contem-
plates construction of two cruisers,
two ng-radius submarines, one air
plane carrier. a floating dock and oil
depots and increases of personnel in
the artillery air and tank services.
An imperial conference of premiers
has been summoned for October.
Many grand matters of common
immortal concern await discussion, as
the Locarno pacts, imperial defense,
imperial preference and empire set
Elements.
France.-The Senate is still debat-
ing the supplementary tax measure
sent up from the Chamber.
The franc ceased to toboggan as
soon as the Senate manifested friend
illness to the fiscal program of the
government.
The balance of foreign trade for
January was adverse. Worse and
worse month after month since the
tide turned.
Middle and Near East.-The perma-
nent mandates commission Of the
League OF NatlollS' oilIiIS III Aeoi0'
has been holding a hearing on
Frances management of her Syrian
mandate, the French representatives
having to answer a deal of criticism.
THE latter attributed the revolts
against the French authorities in
SYRIA mainly to certain feudal chiefs,
apprehensive that realization of the
French policy would mean VANISH
n,ent of their authority.
They very justly invited attention
TO the extraordinary economic develop
ment of Syria under French super
vision educational expansion, road
building. sanitary improvements and
many other benefits. They protested
that The French authorities have made
as .rfnd nIn.-ress as could be expected