Evening star., 1933-09-20

Death of Viscount Grey Of Fallodon
revives an old subject for debate
whether the World War could have
been averted if this statesman had in
formed Germany, before war began,
that England would support France
against Germany in the conflict. Some
believe that such declaration would
have had no effect on the subsequent
events. others that the central empires
would have foreseen the result. Aside
from this controversy. the noble quail
ties of the then Sir Edward Grey are
universally recognized. His services as
British foreign minister are declared
to have won the respect OF the world.
"He was a statesman of broad vision.
who was always guided by high ideals,
says the San Jose Mercury Herald,
while the Indianapolis Star AYERS that
he deserves the gratitude of the Brit
ish empire for his services in its behalf
and the respect of the world for his
labors in the cause of lasting peace"
The Newark Evening News recalls that
he "courted the good will of this coun-
try" and remarks that "had his pa
tience and desire for peace been
matched by others who controlled Eu-
ropes fate. war might not have been
inevitable" The Hartford Times voices
the opinion: "He was genius in in
ternational and domestic politics. His
gifts of foresight. of firmness. Of per-
suasion, both in public and private: his
patriotism. his industry and loyalty
were statesmanly in the great sense"
He was happily true to the English
tradition of scholarly craftsmanship"
declares the Atlanta Journal. recalling
that through the years his counsels
and decisions were among the weight
lest in Europe, and wheresoever they
led the motives they sprang from were
ever those Of lover of peace. of human
freedom and human progress" The
Journal paws the tribute that there Is
no echo of dissent from the common
Judgment that he was one of the true
noblemen of his country and one of the
rare spirits of his time"
"His career contributes bright mark
to the glory of England" in the opin-
ion of the Providence Journal. which
adds the comment on his foreign pol
icies: Everything that he did was
done with the sincere intent to pre-
serve the peace of Europe if possible.
He was, in the first place, an earnest
believer in the balance of power as a
sound instrument of peace, and his acts
that have been criticized were unques-
tionably intended to assure the main
tenance of that balance" The Topeka
Daily Capital recognizes that che stands
out as one of the important statesmen
Of his time, who, more than any other,
was responsible for British policy in
foreign affairs in the most critical
nerind 0f Enp1onS'S history
"The history of the two months pre-
ceding the invasion of Belgium" ac-
cording to the New York Sun. "is filled
with proof of Sir Edward Grey's char
acter and abilitv. If more is needed,
the memoirs of Prince Lichnowski. Ger
man Ambassador to London, provide 1t.
He refused to countenance the viola
ton Of the neutrality of Belgium, and
when Germany. ignorant Of the mans
fortitude, invaded the forbidden land.
Grey took England into the war and
prevented Germany from enjoying a
swift and sure victory. In America Wis
count Grev will be remembered not
only as British envoy to Washington
for brief term. but as one who under
stood the American Government"
An incident at the Gridiron Club In
Washington is recalled by the Miami
Daily News. That paper, describing
him as "one of the gentlest suirits Eng
lish public life has produced" remem-
bers his attendance at one of the meet
ings, at which Senator Borah made "a
bitter attack upon the covenant Of the
League of Nations" The Daily News
quotes Lord Grey's reply IN these
words: 81 am a guest of your country,
~-d J,e-c NJ license to indulge in any
>o...T-9Tcg J Ix...e here. In response to