The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-13

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BY H. R. KNICKERBOCKER
IworId Copyright, 1887. Reproduction II
Whole or Part Strictly PrOhibited)
LONDON, July IL G.NS)
Two years ago over 100000 cit
liens of Great Britain voted for
peace, to be enforced by the
League, but this year the elector
ate of over 31,000,000 is united as
perhaps never before, except in
war time, for peace to be enforced
by Britain's armed strength.
No peacetime issue has been so
unanimously supported by the en-
tire population of Britain, but this
is because though peace still nom
inally obtains, the British now
feel that their rearmament is
truly a war measure against war.
Ban War Insurance
Lloyd's, hearquarters of the in
surance business of the world,
has lust annouced that 1t will
write no more Insurance against
war risks. Not that Lloyd's con-
Siders war so imminent, but after
long reflection upon the charac-
ter of this business, which IN IT.
self is highly profitable so long as
peace lasts, it was finally realized
that should a grown-up war come
to pass, no insurance company
would be able to pay, as the de-
Struction would be too great.
Britain has finally awakened
to the decisive fact that modern
Great Britain is the only Euro
pean nation which cannot under
any circumstances afford to lose
a war. Continental nations can
lose and recover, as they have
done from time immemorlal.
The British Isles are dependent
for every second mouthful OF
food upon imports. A lost war,
meaning a defeated Navy or
Army and air force, would mean
that Britain would become per-
manently subject to the VIC
torious power.
Cannot Afford to Lose
Just as the dimensions of the
disaster of a modern war i'm
pressed Lloyd's so much, that it
will not accept the risk OF more
war insurance, so the conse-
uuences of possible war for the
population have finally COM
PEELED even this most peace-lov-
ing Of the European powers to
rearm. Their moral sacrifice, in
having to abandon their faith in
the possibility of disarmament
Gin our time" was in way
as great as the financial Sacri-
flee rearmament imposes.
The strength of British hope in
the Leagues power to prevent
war, as against Britain's or any
other single nations endeavor to
keep the peace by force, was docu-
mented in the famous peace ballot.
In this nationwide poll around
100000 persons recorded their
desire that Britain remain in the
League, work for reduction Of
ornaments in general and COM
plete abolition of war planes.
After the peace ballot came
the debacle of Britain's attempt
to stop Italy's conquest of Abys-
Sinia by League action. Today it
is certain that most of the 11,000.-
900 peace balloters would vote for
rearmament.
Labor Vote Gesture
The labor party votes against
the defense appropriations. but if
it were ever to conceive that its
vote would stop rearmament it
would reverse its vote. 1t opposes
solely because it is his majeSty'S
opposition.
Its leader, Maj. C. r. Attlee, en-
joying the browning glory of the
British democratic system, re.
ceiveS $4,000 a year from the gov
eminent to oppose the govern
ment, and if he did not oppose
would fail in his duties.
His most difficult duty Is lead
Ing the vote against rearmament
because, believing in it just as
firmly as the government, labor's
only opposition grounds is that
I'VE agree its got to be done, but
we don't trust you to do it,"
One Group Opposed
Only one group in England Is
against rearmament, and this one
though Intellectually important, is
nf mn Tnljtjca1 conSanIInope Tho
die-hard pacifists. organized in the
constructive peace" movement
led by the Rev. H. r. L. Shep-
pard, canon of st. Pauls have
distinguished members: Bertrand
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