BRITISH IMPERIALISM

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1942, Page 3

BRITISH IMPERIALISM

AMERICAN HOSTILITY Surprise in England [Special to N.Z. Press Assn]. LONDON, Nov. 22. At a time when it 'is generally agreed that the Anglo-American post-war friendship is very important for the future of the world, the general public in Britain has suddenly become aware of the great division of opinion between some sections in the two countries on the issue of Imperialism. This has been thrown into the limelight as the result of verbal exchanges between Mr Wendell Willkie and Mr Churchill. The British have so long taken the Empire for granted that it is • something of a shock to many to find their viewpoint suddenly assailed although Mr Winant (U.S. Ambassador .in London) has expressed the opinion that between Britain and the United States there is “a greater divergence of viewpoint on British colonial policy than any other subject.” Briefly, Mr Willkie apparently believes that the colonies should be made the wards of the United Nations, .that their basic commodities should be freely available to the world, their safety protected bv an international police force, that the full yield of their resources should be used for their own ’health, education, development and training in the practices of self-gov-ernment. He stated that this could not be accomplished when one of the two principals of„the Atlantic Charter seemingly defended the old Im-perialistic-order and declared to a shocked world: “We. mean to hold our own.” It is observed that millions of Americans share Mr Willkie’s views.

Mr Churchill’s comment has evoked approval and condemnation in Britain. Approval was expressed by Sir‘Edward Grigg that Britain must stand by her colonial responsibilities and disapproval is expressed by the “Daily <, Herald” which chides Mr Churchill for not appearing to share American statemen’s enthusiasm for planning during the war the shape of. the world at peace. It also protested against the phrase “We mean to hold our own.”

“The Spectator,” however, takes the opposite view. •'lt declares Mr Willkie misrepresented Mr Churchhi as meaning that the intention of Britain to hold on indefinitely to all she has could spring only from ignorance and perversity, whereas Britain for a century has been steadily and patiently educating the dependencies for the responsibilities of successful independence. ’ ( It must be admitted that.some consider America is not altogether altriustic, that she is at present speaking two voices: Firstly that of Mr Roosevelt, Mr Winant, Mr Wallace and Mr Milo Perkins. Secondly,htha'. of big business. Thus a writer in the “New Statesman and Nation” says: “This American interest (in the colonial field) is very welcome, but there are clear enough dangers if America is to be,the America of 'Wai 1 Street.” Mr Kingsley Martin, editor of the “New Statesman and Nation” at present in America said: “After the last war, American business poured out money on capital investments in Europe and Jost it. This time, the capitalist, if clever, would allow capital development on lease-lend principles and, on the foundation of American money and goodwill, create overseas markets that, as individual capitalists they cannot fail to desire. This would be sensible on the part of big business. More likely it will regard,Mr Wallace as the arch-enemy and go straight Imperialist.” Many Britishers as “The Times” points out, are puzzled as to why Americans should ■ proclaim, without cavil, their intentions to re-establish the integrity of the French Colonial Empire, while apparently regarding the integrity of the British Empire as an inadmissible war aim. They enquire if Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Holland are to retain colonial territory. Is the British colonial empire the only one to go into liquidation? Further British points of view are expected during the Commons debate this week. Mr Attlee, speaking at Reading, to-day, said Hitler was now in an uneasy position. He could not tell where the United Nations would next; attack. • Speaking of the British Empire, Mr Attlee said that Imperialism had-now definitely gone, and the Empire included all stages of self-government.