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London Press Comments.
London. Oct. 2.
The 'Daily Chronicle' says: — 'We
had been led to believe that Mr. Baldwin
n- reserving himself for the Imperial
Conference to give a precise explanation
of the Government s intentions with re
gard to. the reparations question in par
ticular, and Europe iu general. His
speech shows that, far from having a
policy of its own. tLe Government has
not even an intelligent appreciation of
the realities of the situation. Germany
is collapsing, and France i'.-= to obtain
security by holding on in the Ruhr ter
ritory. Mr. Baldwin says that we arc
neither to help nor to hinder the Allies.
and that we must sit tight and do
nothing. Could anything be more hu
miliating to British prestige?'
Tihc 'Daily -Express' observes: — 'We
agree heartily with what 'Mr. Baldwin
said with reference to Empire trade. A
great step forward has been taken when
a Prime Minister's mind is tuned to
new world conditions. If he is prepared
to back his opinion with all of his driv
ing power, the conference may find for
all of the Rritiiins an escape from the
morass, leading them out of dead en
tanglements in Europe into a heritage
of Imperial prosperity. But Mr. Bald
win has not yet escaped wholly from the
European illusion. He still reverts to
the -controversy with France and the il
legality of the Ruhr occupation. He
prides himself on our effective neutral
ity, which is 'maintained by' our costly
and perilous intrusion into Cologne. It
is impossible, also, to share 'Mr. Bald
win's 'adulation of the League of Nations,
which brought us to the verge of war
with Italy, arid only escaped from its
own meddling folly by surrendering to
the Conference of Ambassadors. Fin
ally Mr; Baldwin shows a lack of force
and grip in his survey of unemployment.
We had hoped to find in Mr. 'Baldwin
the spirit and fire of a crusader. On
this point we. have got only optimism
and palliatives.'
The 'Morning Post' remarks: — 'The
Conference gives to th» British Govern
ment an opportunity of acting with credit
and decision. The only measure which
affords any hope of meeting the present
situation is a general measure of pro
tection for the agricultural industry, in
cluding preference for the Dominions '
The 'Daily Telegraph'' considers that
Mr. Baldwin's speech affords no support
whatever for the fanciful and exagger
ated interpretations which have, been
placed in some quarters on the famous
?Paris, 'communique.' The Govern
ment's attitude- with regard to the Itiihr
problem has undergone no modification.
With .respect to internal affairs, the
statesmen of the Dominions' are well
aware that in opening new avenues for
inter-Imperial trade the. advantages are
mutuaL -and the problem at bottom is
one or better organisation, of the Em
pire's resources.
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