Evening star., 1926-11-21
BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS.
ONDON.-I don't know whether
American readers are in the
slightest degree interested in
Il what Is happening behind the


American readers are in the
slightest degree interested in
IL what is happening behind the
scenes at the British Imperial
Conference, now sitting in London.
should say that was very unlikely.
Yet. as a matter OF fact, 1t is of great
importance in world affairs. and will
influence American lives and business
rs far as they can be affected by
world peace or world wars and by the
economic arrangements between the
great wealth producing countries.
SO far very little has been published
officially, because the reports Of the
committees have not yet been pre-
scented and considered, but I happen
20 know certain conclusions which
have been accepted and certain ideas
which have been discussed. Imperial
defense is, of course. ono vital inter.
est which is being fully considered.
England had to ask her delegates from
South America, India, Ireland and
other dominions how far she may
count upon them for armed assistance
Rnd for ell moral and material aid in
the event Of war.
This question is subject to q gen.
eral agreement among ell delegates
that peace, not only n Europe, but
all parts of the world. must be fos.
tered In every possible way by con-
ciliation of and friendly relations with
foreign powers. bv encouraging grad
,Ial disarmament. by supporting polit-
3cal and economic agreements between
European and other nations and by
cordial, active. unfailing support Of
the League of Nations and the World
Court OF Justice.
The British Empire thus hopes to Sc
cure peace for herself and for all the
great powers for something like half
q century, If there must be any limit
to that hope.
Peace Great Trade Need.
Leaving moral ideals to one side.
This peace is of the utmost import
Rnce to Great Britain and her domin-
IONS in order to restore their markets
and give time for the development of
countries like Australia and Canada,
whose future holds enormous promise,
unless wrecked by war or financial
calamity in England. Blu: those peace
hopes and purposes may be frustra ted
by unforeseen explosions, In which Eng
1and-against her will-may be involv.
ed In new wars, big or little, TO pro-
tect her own interests or to crush
some attack against other peoples lib
critics and rights
III LItAC case WtldL ABOUT ner sister
nations? Privately, those answers
have been given. AS far as my in
formation goes it Is certain that Eng
land can count on the full support of
all her dominionS and her Indian EN-
pfre In case of any war In which her
own national life or the safety of the
empire itself is directly threatened.
For self-interest's sake, apart from
all loyalty and sentiment, Canada,
J1 thncn of will
stand by the mother country in a
time OF common danger. 1t Is not so
certain that they will cooperate in
any conflict where there is no ma
tional or imperial danger. In that
case they will retain their liberty OF
action and military independence.
The case of Ireland at this imperial
conference IS especially interesting.
In any war involving direct action by
England. or threatening her coasts
and naval communications. Irish hos
tility or neutrality would be immense
ly dangerous to Great Britain. That
was the possible danger which excited
the anxiety of all the English critics
OF Irish self-government and delayed
The Irish home rule for so many
years. From all I hear and know
that danger is now very slight,
Ireland Now Friendly.
A great change of feeling has
surged over Ireland since it's expert.
ence as a free state. Apart from a
email minority of irreconcilable re-
publicans the Irish people are now
friendly to England. On Armistice
day last week hundreds Of thousands
OF men and women in Dublin and in
other cities paid homage to those
irish soldiers who fell in the Great
War fighting beside English comrades,
and the union jack flew on the pub
lio buildings. 1t is true that here
and there republicans tried to tear
tt down, but they were chased Off by
Free State soldiers and police.
England" writes one Of my Irish
correspondents, "is a most popular
country in Ireland now" That will
lardly be believed by Irl3h. Americans