Evening star., 1945-07-29
Leftist Vote in Great Britain
May Point Way for Others
Pendulum Swings Toward Liberalism in Europe.
Attlee Expected to Follow Present Policy
in War and u. S. Relations
By Joseph II. Baird

H. DUVU
sia,s own attitude toward the British
government is concerned.
Those acquainted with the relations
during the last few years between
Premier Stain and Mr.. Churchill say
that while the former had deep re-
spect for the latter's integrity and abil-
ity, he could never forget that the
Prime Minister was an outstanding
representative of what he considered
the "capitalistic" and "imperialistic"
classes. OF course, Mr.. Churchills Bit
ter contempt for Communism was well
known, and he made no effort to con-
ceal it even after Russia and Britain
were Allies.
Consequently, these observers say,
while the two leaders were able to CO.
operate in the primary military task of
defeating Germany, they were mutually
suspicious of each others long-term
political objectives. .., =
1t is true also that ever since the 1918
revolution in Russia, British Labor has
been more friendly toward that country
than has the Conservative element.
Another observation, however, should
be added. winston Churchill, most
readers will recall, said during the dark
est days of the war that he had no in
tention of presiding over the "dissolu-
ton of the British Empire" There is
considerable evidence of an approach
ing clash Of interests between Moscow
and London in the Neast East. Whether
Maj. Attlee will be as spirited de-
fender OF Britain's traditional power in
this part of the world as his predeces-
sor has been and would have been is
an interesting question-particularly for
the British people.
glo-American Policy Stands.
The change of governments in London
will not result in any basic alterations
in the closely woven fabric of Anglo
American relations, officials here be-
lieve. Certainly no new problems are
expected in connection with our joint
conduct of the war against Japan. 1t
has come to be automatic in the think
ing of both the State Department and
the British Foreign once that the
political interests of the two nations
are so similar and their military re-
lance upon each other so great that
any deep breach between the two Is un-
thinkable.
In two details, however, Labors ac-
cession to power may mark new trends
one favorable, the other unfavorable,
from Washington's viewpoint.
The policies of the Attlee government
may be more consonant with those Of
the State Department in liberated areas
of Europe-such as Greece and Italy,
for example-than were those of Mr..
Churchill. The publicly announced
policy OF the United States In countries
recently freed from Axis domination
has been one Of disintefest in the type
Of regime they chose. % long As It
resulted from free ballot and repre-.
sented the win Of the people. The
Churchill government at times showed
marked preference for ante bellum
politicians. It will be recalled that the
State Department on two occasions is
sued public statements mildly critical
of British policy in Italy and Greece.
Maj. Attlee, it is believed here, is not
likely to share Mr.. Churchill's prefer
ence for prewar European political
blocs or his sympathy for the royal
houses of Italy, Greece and Spain.
Churchill Despised Franco.
With regard to the latter country,
authorities here say that Mr.. Churchill,
for many months before his defeat at
the polls, despised Dictator Francisco
Franco, despite reports to the contrary,
and would have been glad to see him
ousted from power. However. he was
restrained from doing anything to i'm
plement this desire for fear of again
plunging Spain into civil war. The same
deterrent may apply to the Attlee gov
eminent.
1t is only in the economic field that
American officials fear the Attlee gov
ernment may follow policy less pleas
ing to the United States than that of its
predecessor. For example, the State De-
partment would like to iberalize still
further its tariff treaties with the United
Kingdom and other parts of the British
Empire under the Reciprocal Trade Act.
The Labor party, however, appears com.
mitted to large degree of national con-
troll of foreign trade which may result in
special quota agreements with nations
having large sterling balances, and thus
make more difficult multilateral low
ering of trade barriers
1t is recalled here that the Ottawa
Conference Of 1882 which set up a sys-
tenn of empire preference" tariffs was
held under the sponsorship of another
Laborite Prime Minister, the late RAM
say Macdonald. The Ottawa agree
ments, incidentally, have been one Of
the principal barriers to the extension
of liberal trade relations between the
United States and various parts of the
British Commonwealth.
From Washington's viewpoint, how
ever, there is one encouraging factor.
Britain, in restoring its war-damaged
economy, will have such a great need
for American credit and other conces-
sions during the next few years that
this country will be in a strong position
to bargain for q general lowering Of
tariffs.
Tires in Demand