The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated “THE EGMONT SETTLER.” (Established 1890.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1932. Politicians—Diplomatists—Financiers

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 497, 20 July 1932, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated “THE EGMONT SETTLER.” (Established 1890.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1932. Politicians—Diplomatists—Financiers

JM|R. GEORGE GLASGOW, foreign editor of the “Conternporary Review,” and a leading authority on international affairs, in his book, “Continental Statesmen,” in which he portrays the statesmen who occupied high places in the destinies of Europe, such as Briand, Masaryk, Mussolini, Venizelos, Schacht, Caillaux, Nansen, Rakovsky, Barthou, and a host of others, has rendered a distinct service- The author knew personally many of the men dealt with, and the reader thus obtains pen-portraits of men that live, for they reveal characters and are not merely records of careers, in the opening chapters of this illuminating volume the author writes:— fhe ruling persons of Europe are divisible into three main classes: (i) the politicians; (2) the diplomatists; (3) the financiers and industrialists. It seems a sad reflection on the demorcatic ideal that mischief ha s mainly been caused by the first class, the politicians. The professional diplomatist and professional financier are both protected by a vested interest in peace. War, to a diplomatist, spells failure, to a financier immediate (if transient) disaster. If international diplomatists and international financiers were by themselves responsible for the decision between war and peace, there would be little danger of war at any time. By an unfortunate paradox, however, it is the politician who gets most of the limelight. Both the regular diplomatist and the regular financier work in private, and it matters little to them what an electorate may feel. The politician, by contrast, must at all times be up and doing- He must even make a noise, lest he be ignored; for publicity is an indispensable means to his power. Healthy people are content to tolerate the pompous and busybody politician so long as their exuberance is merely tiresome; but, unfortunately the notoriety they gain is itself valuable to them. Most people differ in their opinion'about most things, and those whom a good many people deride, the people of another temper promptly take to extolling. The capacity of people in general for active disagreement, involving the taking of sides even on inelevant issues, is well-nigh inexhaustible, and a politician who provokes resentment, by the same token provokes applause. In any case the politician, if he is to keep his name alive in public opinion, must, always be doing something. He cannot lie fallow. The disease of government in Europe is a matter that deserves to be investigated. The political statesmen who on the one hand have the sense to recognise the limitations of government as a

practical means to common convenience, and on the other hand have enough sense of caution to understand that popular emotion is mischievous and ounht to he lulled rather than excited — such politicians, of whom Dr. Marx is an examole, are few and far to seek- The late Mr. Bonar Law and Mr. Baldwin are further examples. Signor Mussolini hardly belongs to that category. The fact that for the moment Signor Mussolini has clone rood to Italy is of less permanent value than the effect that will live after him. The test, will be applied when he goes, as go he must sooner or Inter. Will Italy be in a better or worse slate than before he began his work?,