Evening star., 1950-02-25
Britain's World Role
Believed Adversely
Affected by Election .
By the Associated Press

position into which British elec-
tions returned the Labor govern
ment puts a new light on Britain's
role as the core of Western Euro
pean strategy and economy.
Until yesterdays election re-
suits, which gave the Labor gov
ernment an almost negligible ma
jority, Britain was Europe's most
stable postwar democracy.
That fact was the foundation
on which the economic, political
and military strategy of the West
ern democracies was based.
Lion with Two Voices"
While Britain seems in no dan
ger of falling into the kind of
parliamentary chaos which has re-
Gently afflicted France. it may
be a long time before there is a
government in Whitehall that
can speak firmly for the nation.
One observer commented today:
THE British lion now whispers in
two voices"
Britain's new problem is caused
by the elimination of the Liberals
as third party to be reckoned
with, while neither the Socialist
nor the Tories have gained a solid
majority.
The weakened condition of the
new government may have varied
effects on the domestic affairs OF
the nation.
There appear to be even greater
possibilities of trouble for the un-
stable government in foreign re-
lations, particularly those with her
allies in the Marshall Plan and
the Atlantic defense pact.
Laid Defense Foundation.
Britain laid the foundation for
the Vests firmest defense against
aggression. First she signed an
alliance with France at Dun
kerque. This was followed by the
lfve-nation Brussels Alliance-the
Benelux-adding Holland, Bel
GUM and Luxembourg to the al
lance. Then all were absorbed
in the North Atlantic pact.
Although there are no major
differences of opinion on foreign
policy among the opposing politi-
cal parties in the new Parliament,
a possible new election might
turn the issue into a political
football as the Laborites and Con-
servatives jockey for position.
The possibilities inherent in this
situation were amply demon
strated during the campaign,
when Conservative Leader Win
ston Churchill made a surprise
issue of a proposed new attempt
to end the cold war by British
American talks with Soviet Prime
Minister Stain himself.
Effect in Western Europe.
Even a change in Britain's do
mestic affairs promises to have
considerable effect on the Western
European picture.
Britain has been by far the
largest recipient of dollar aid
under the Marshall Plan, because
the administrators of the Eco
nomic Cooperation Administra-
ton have recognized that the re-
vival of European trade and in
dustry must be led by Britain or
the whole scheme will fail.
Despite the official hands-off
American policy during the Brit
ish election campaign. some
American congressman made no
secret of their hope that Tory
government would be restored in
Britain.
Results Hailed in Europe.
Across Europe leaders of both
left and right hailed the British
election as a victory for their
respective beliefs.
In France, Conservative ex-
Premier Paul Reynaud called the
result setback to Socialism and
the extreme left.
I'VE see with satisfaction" he
said, that the British people
have enough good sense to recog-
nize that Communist deputies do
not represent the country of their
birth, but rather a foreign power. :"
He was evidently referring to
the defeat OF Communist candi-
dates.
Guy Mollet, secretary general
of the French Socialist Party. said
the vote was victory for a world
third force" between capitalism
and Communism which marks
the end to the wave of reaction