Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1944-02-24
BRITISH POLICY
is EXPLAINED
Eric Grimwade, First Speak.
er for Rotary Forum, EX-
plains Britains Views
MUST UNITE IN PEACE

learn the responsibilities of their
strength: the British people have
to learn the limitations of their
weakness" This editorial opinion
of the London Economist enshrines
an essential truth in considering
British contributions to the new
world order, Eric Grimwade, ma
tive Englishman, told those attend
ing the first of the four lectures
and open forums of the Institute of
Understanding sponsored by the
local Rotary Club. Britain is no
longer able to police and finance
the world, as in the nineteenth GEN.
tury," the speaker said. Industrial
lily and spiritually, leadership has
been transferred to other nations.
1t is most important that this
truth be recognized.
British Policy
There is frequent complaint that
British policy is unpredictable. The
habit of muddling through derives
in part from the complexity of
British interests. No single prob
lem can be solved in isolation. The
recent famine in India is an exam
pie. The growth of Indian popula-
ton by so million in the last ten
years, Japanese conquest of Burma,
wartime imitation, political unrest,
the failure of a self-governing
province (Bengal) to accept re-
sponsibility in organizing against
famine, priority on shipping claim
ed by the battlefronts are only
some of the factors involved in this
tragedy.
A Growing Organism
The British Empire is not merely
a complexity of relations. 1t is a
growing, changing organism. All
parts of it are training for COM
plete self-government. The domin-
ions of Canada, Australia, South
Africa, New Zealand and Fire are
independent nations, free to disso-
ciate themselves completely from
British policy as Southern Ireland
has done in this war. India has
been declared ripe for independence
as soon as agreement among In
dams on a democratic constitution
is reached. Ceylon and Malta are
examples of communities nearly
ready for dominion status. All
parts of the British Commonwealth
are on their way to it.
Restoration of Stability
/ Because two great wars have
weakened Britain at least relative
ily, the desire to contribute ener-
getically to world order is strength
ened. If the people of the British
Isles are to live, they must trade.
They will want to stabilize cur
lrencies, reduce tariffs and recon-
struct the economies of former GUS
toners. The restoration of Euro
pean stability and prosperity is an
essential to British security. Eu-
rope must be united in peace. This
can only be achieved through CO.
operation with Russia and the
United States.
! Recognize Weakness
Recognizing the limitations of
their weakness, the British people
are bound to cooperate and adapt
themselves to new world order.
In providing an example of stable
democracy, of harmony between
capital and labor, of teamwork be-
tween state and private enterprise,
! Britain and it's sister nations OF
the British commonwealth may yet
demonstrate a spiritual leadership
in the world. They will demon
strate that independent nations can
grow and live together in grandecr
and in peace.
/ Piano Duets
| The speaker was introduced by
George w. Wright, president of the
Smyrna Rotary Club. Piano duets
were played by Mrs. John Fearon,
of the music department of the
local school, and Mrs. Thelma Rog-
/ ers Lamb.
! Conference Dinner
A Qua rtar1xr Copfaronoa Diora,.