PAPERSPAST

AUTOCRATIC DIPLOMACY

■ By P. FRASER. One. outstanding 'feature of the present titanic struggle between the world's greatest powers is that although we live in what is supposed to bo a democratic age, the negotiations leading up to the war wero exclusively ia the hands of a low individuals in Europe. On their decisions hung the lives and happiness of millions. At their liat the people of tho various nations, living at tho time on the most amicable terms, were hurled at ono another's throats. At their command towns have been destroyed, countrysides laid waste, homes devastated, and tens of thousands killed, while, all the horrible concomitants of war have turned Europe into a reeking shambles. In every country indus- j try and commerce has bec;i dislocatwJ, ' causing unemployment, privation, and oven starvation. Tlie people who have j to suffer .most 'were never consulted'! about the war. Tiny had no sny in the j negotiations preceding it. They bad . no voto on the alliances, treaties, and ententes, which have extended its scope throughout the world, and drag- j ged in nation after nation of unwilling people. The. diplomacy of the world is carried on by the representatives of the privileged classes. The diplomatic services -are the "■ special preserves of the aristocracy. No man is allowed to enter tlie English diplomatic service unless he has-a private income of £'100 pef year. Even then his advancement is usually determined by social influences. A service constituted in such fashion cannot be otherwise than out of touch .with", when not actually antagonistic to, the will cf the common people. Governments may come and go, but the diplomats are always in control of foreign negotia* tlona. Autocratic diplomacy must cease so far ns the British Empire is concerned. Foreign policy must be made a matter for Parliament, not for a Foreign Office dragons i Cabinet at its heels. Neither the people nor the Parliaments of Great Britain or the Colonies were consulted as to the war or the policy extending over years which made Britain's participation inevitable. The people, who havo to bear the burden of armaments and the suffering of war must determine the attitude of th* Empirs. 1h» Social,

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