The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1940-06-13
EnqIund Now Second Rate

1RldUQ as DGllR WlIUOuL peer dHlOuS uoeiOho Will "
,ubtedly be interested in the logical discussion of En-
decline since the first world war written by |
oscoe Arant, associate professor of economics at t
University of Mississippi. Incidentally the article a
cared as an editorial in the Des Moines Register Nc
nber II, 1887, three years ago. Time has proved
intentions.
One who has followed the developments in international
relations with even ordinary interest during the past few
years, with particular reference to the invasion Of China by
Japan and the conquest of Ethiopia and Spain by Italy cannot
but be impressed by the loss of leadership in international
affairs that England has displayed since the World War.
Not until 1914 did any nation challenge Engiands authority
in world politics, and even then, the challenge that Germany
laid down to France was not intended to include England.
Today England realizing the loss of her authority, the
slenderness of the thread that binds her empire together, the
unbalanced character of her domestic economy and fact that
her bluff has been repeatedly called, for her own protection
as well as for international peace, invokes every device OF
diplomacy to persuade the United States to assume leadership
that she no longer commands.
To understand the rise and fall of Englandis leadership in
world politics it is necessary to examine her rise and decline
in economic affairs.
In the modern world, political power cannot be sustained
without economic power, and political strength almost In
evitably follows the course of economic fortune.
England was one Of the first countries to permit free
dom of trade, not only throughout the commonwealth, but
with other countries as well.
The resources of the country were ample. Iron and coal,
two essential factors in manufacturing. mining and transporta-
ton were conveniently located in sufficient quantities.
10 lnCdl e OGOLuC QICIdooh snip " PioeSSS HA
Investments, her markets, her sources of materials and even
a continuous supply of food itself. for England had quit
producing food and gone to manufacturing, she built the
mightiest navy the world has even seen.
But the very process by which she built her might contained
the seeds of its own construction.
The exports of capital to the United States. and the other
countries of the earth were so large i'm amounts as to stagger
the imagination of their recipients and the greater the guam
titles of capital she exported, the more rapidly did she speed
the process of her own disinEegration.
The United States became a manufacturing nation, and
paid off her debt to the Engishmen when the World War
broke out-then she, in turn, became an exporter of capital.
Germany, Belgium, Japan and other countries, likewise became
manufacturing nations, who in turn began to SELL and fire.
quently to undersell, in the same markets that England had
formerly exploited to her exclusive advantage, not only IN
foreign countries, but in her very own dominions.
In practically every line of manufacturing there are
competitors which possess advantages for production as
cheaply or more cheaply than England. The United States,
Germany, Japan, China and India, all produce cheaper goods.
On account of national characteristics that the peculiarly her
own, Germany can produce superior and less expensive
chemicals than England.
In almost all lines Of industry and commerce, the ad-
vantages that were formerly England's are disappearing.
And last, but not least is the growing tendency toward
a self-sufficient economy even by those countries that do not
aspire to foreign trade in manufactured goods. This is
especially true of Canada, India, Australia, and South Al
RIGA, dominons that were formerly her best customers.
The Importance of this growing and the present trend
toward self-sufficiency in practically all quarters, accentuated
by a decline in relative efficiency at home, is most serious
u b naLlOn dSTlCulIuIc ChhPtOyS ANS IAoh oS NS"AA
of her population and furnishes the food for only about
twofifths. 1t has not only wrecked her prosperity, but has
made it more difficult for her to obtain food supplies for the
other threefifths.
The burden of a large navy, and the other expenses
necessary to preserve as much as possible of her empire and
of her former political prestige is crushing upon her economic
system. long obsolescent.
This competition for markets for manufactured goods
has evidently come to stay, and the movement toward nat
ional self-sufnciency shows no signs Of abatement But
whatever should be the future course In these relationships,
Britainis supremacy is gone.
The loss Of her economic supremacy, which occurred be-
her political leadership with the war cannot be restored. 1t
is attempting with her present army and navy building
manently acquired status as a second rate power.
America must surely profit by England's experien
low more than ever before do we<need to have a 81
economy. The more self-sufficient we are
sss likely we are to become involved in unfrlendly trs
isputes with other countries.
America must balance her agriculture with indus
nd not let either become top heavy. We must not
DO dependent on other countries for anything that
an help.
England has her empire on which the sun never Sc
it is not much use to her now. She would be
etter off with more concentrated possessions she COZ
ook after and control without too much time and
ense.
The United States of America must continue to
nited both economically and noliticallV and not ia