BRITISH EMPIRE.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2701, 21 April 1915, Page 2

BRITISH EMPIRE.

LORD CROMKR'S QUESTIONS. London Times-Sydney Sun Services. (Received April 21. 8 a.m.) Lomloii, April 20. In a letter to the newspapers Lord Cromer asks, "AVould universal democracy in a somewhat'extreme form henecessary to inaugurate a universal reign of peace? Would an extreme degree of popular control of foreign affairs guarautee peace?" The Times, in a leader, -comments on the interesting suggestion the letter raises, and says these questious are. of high importance to the country and the Empire. Lord Cromer suggests, as we read it, that the answer to both questions ought to be in the negative. While we think it impossible to predict with any degree of certainty the attitude the democracies in future will adopt in regard to for-, eigji affairs, we agree with Lord Cromer that the present trend of democratic opinion is towards peace. The democracies of the Empire would readily acknowledge the need for secrecy in, negotiations of diplomacy if the Alinisters would only speak fully and frankly to them of the main outlines of the Imperial foreign policy. The days are closing when those generously sharing in our losses and labours in this war can remain without a voice on questions of defence and foreign affairs concerning them as deeply as ourselves.