Evening star., 1935-10-24
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Britain's Peace Election.

Prime Minister Baldwin announces
that Parliament will be dissolved and
general elections held on November IA.
In proclaiming the governments inten-
tions he discIoses the issue on which 1t
seeks to retain power. 1t asks for vim
dication of its policy in supporting the
League program of economic sanctions
against Italy and for authority to
strengthen British ornaments in order
that Britain may be better prepared to
meet the risks of peace"
Astute politician that he IS, Mr..
Baldwin has chosen the present moment
for appealing to the electorate because
of the virtually national unanimity with
which the governments procedure in
the Italo-E Ethiopian conflict is supported.
1t has its critics and opponents, even
within Tory imperialist ranks. Lloyd
George and other disaffected Liberals,
too, are sniping at it. Laborites have
split over it. But by and large public
opinion approves the strong stand
against international aggression which
Britain has taken at Geneva.
If the government had any doubts on
that score they were removed by two
remarkable events within the recent past.
One was the peace ballot" which re-
vealed that more than ninety per cent
of enrolled British voters-a total of some
eleven million-favor continued British
membership in the League. Roundly six
million recorded themselves in favor of
sanctions against declared aggressor
and for military force in carrying them
into effect, if necessary. The other de-
velopment that persuaded the Baldwin
ties that they could at this time sue.
cessfully 60 to the country is the Labor
party's overwhelming vote of confidence
In the government Ethiopian
policy.
If Britain is to continue to take risks
Tor peace" the prime minister declares,
the government must be given the re-
quisite strength on land, on sea and in
the air to equip the nation for meeting
its League obligations. There are intima-
tions that the treasury, in the event the
government is sustained, will float a
defense loan of f2OOOOO,OOO for expand
ing ornaments, especially naval and
aerial. IF I am not given the power
required" Mr.. Baldwin bluntly told the
House, II shall leave this policy of peace
f4 xv,l,~ t,;, 81,
taking"
In the present mood of British electors,
the government seems amply justified
In venturing to test its fortunes at the
polls. The circumstance that it is ready
to do so after whirlwind campaign of
barely three weeks betokens rugged con-
fldence. Labor having come into camp
on the paramount issue of Britain's fight
for collective action in behalf of peace,
Mr.. Baldwin is rid of the gravest danger
his party faced, even though Labor may
emerge from the election a numerically
stronger opposition force in Parliament
than 1t now constitutes.
Should peace in Africa be assured by
November IA, because of Italian realiza-
ton that League sanctions spell the
certain doom of Mussolinis adventure,
the British governments electoral cause
will be substantially bulwarked. In any
event. Mr.. Baldwin is striking while he
thinks the iron is hot. He has divided
the Labor party, confounded the Lib
erals, gratified the pacifists and aroused
the enthusiasm of the elements de-
manding stronger fleet and air
force. On the issue of loyalty to the
League and the armed means to vim
dicate that loyalty whenever the occa-
sion demands, the Conservatives are
ready for fight for their political life,