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Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22141, 10 July 1937, Page 17

IMPERIAL POLICY

The Faith or an Englishman. By Sir Edward Gripe. D. 5.0., M.C., M.P. Macmillan. 405 pp. (10/6 net.) "The great mass of the nation," says Sir Edward Grigg, "is patriotic in every vein, and in no aggressive sense. What it needs,is a restatement of national aim in terms that fit the conditions of the time and satisfy not only its material instincts but its sense of right. If that can be achieved, the nation will find itself again and recover its strength. It will also, I firmly believe, be able to ensure itself another century of peace. But if it remains divided, a prey to conflicting doctrines and crippled by political strife, it will bring war upon itself again assuredly as the day will darken into winter and lengthen again into spring." This book is a search for such terms of restatement —clear in exposition and argument, level in tone, and sanely balanced between the attitudes that may .be called realistic and idealistic. Sir Edward's ruling principle is indicated in the passage above: he is satisfied by no policy that does not reconcile moral and material good. A survey of international and Imperial events since the war leads to a long analysis of the present situation and its requirements. A few of his judgments may be set out as follows:

The Covenant was never intended to turn small wars into greater wars; and we are not ourselves prepared to read it as an obligation which compels us to cast away he wellbeing and happiness of tens of millions to save the independence of a few.

If our mind is analysed, we shall be found, I think, to stand for parliamentary democracy with solidly national foundations but broadly socialist aims.

The well-being of the British working man is essential to the security of the Empire; the security of the Empire is essential to the well-being of the British working man. The vital consideration in Defence is . . . the prevention of war, and that will not be achieved without some system of universal national preparation for it.

I do not fear disunity in the Commonwealth if it is forced again to pass through the ordeal of war . . . We can unite in war. Can we unite sufficiently to prevent it? Our Governments will betray our welfare if they do not henceforth look to the promotion of investment, shipping, and sound migration as an essential part of their trust.