THE "ROUND TABLE."

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17811, 10 July 1923, Page 3

THE "ROUND TABLE."

The first article in the June number of the "Round Table," "The New Imperial Problem," from the point of view of this review, marks the beginning of a new chanter. It gives its considered opinion as to the changes that the war and what followed it have made in the Imperial question, the meaning of the new status of the various parts of the Empire, and the measures that should be taken to enable the Commonwealth to hold together and to 'do its work aa a whole without any of its parts sacrificing anything of their position as full-grown nations. It has nothing to say against, on the contrary it welcomes, the present tendency on the part of the Dominions to-become complete nations in themselves. But the article points out the essential need of at the same time improving the linking up machinery, which must accompany the nationalist tendency, for without it the Empire would gradually drift into dissolution, and it is pointed out how greatly all tho parts would suffer if bucli a result were to take place. The second article is another chapter in the series which the "Round Table" has published upon the great question which more than any other is keeping back the recovery and progress of Europe. \t suggests the line which the Government should take now that in response to Lord Curzon's appeal Germany has made a definite' offer j which though worded in a clumsy and provocative style* does, in the opinionof the "Round' Table," contain a basis s for negotiation, of which the French ought to make use. Assuming that the figure, mentioned by the German Government is, too low, the proposal to refer the whole question to such an expert body as the American Secretary Hughes some months ago suggested is a practical and probably the only way of arriving at a settlement of reparations. The third article, "Kenya," brings-up in & direct form one of the most contentious problems in the world. It is generally known as the colour question, and in this instance it involves not only a conflict between white and brown, but the question uoon the effeot upon the development of African native races of Asiatic immigration into Africa. The writer sets out to find the basic principle which is to govern fie treatment of Kenya, whether, for instance, its future is to be that of an ordinary British self-governing colony, as Mr Churchill suggested in .words which have gener- • ally been taken to mean white, as a i parti-coloured self-governing colony, or as a black man's country. The arguments of each of the contending parties are set out in detail, and the fundamental psychological differences which underlie the formal pleas explained. Lastly it is pointed out that small as are the numbers of the white settlers and Indians in the colony, a world question is involved, as nothing can be settled about one part of tropical Africa, without affecting the other parts, and several Powers besides the British Empire possess territory in Africa and are vitally concerned, apart from Asia's deen interest (through India) in the dispute. Other articles deal with American politics, British agriculture, Ireland and East-Central Europe.