THE
ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD.
BY EVELYN WRENCH.
MR. MARK SULLIVAN, than whom there is no better political writer in America, contributes to the Observer a survey of Europe's attitude towards the possibility of American participation in Europe's affairs, and in it he makes one remark which it would be well for us all to remember. " In the recent phases of Europe's troubles," says Mr. Sullivan, " Europe has taken it for granted that America is out of it. That is the safest ground to take. And by some sort of paradox, that is precisely the attitude of the European mind best adapted to bring about American participation of the right sort." The italics are the writer's. Another matter to which Mr. Sullivan draws attention is the presence in Europe of nearly one-fifth of the entire United States Senate (numbering ninety-six). Imagine a proportionate number of British legislators in the United States at one time. Certainly the readiness of American Senators and Congressmen to study European conditions for themselves is a good omen for the future.
* * * * Mr. Sullivan also draws attention to a matter on which the writer of these notes has often reflected. Why is it that individuals in Great Britain do not take pains to ascertain the relative importance of visiting Americans ? Very frequently visitors from the other side are " dined and wined " out of proportion to their pro- minence in their native land. On the other hand, men of outstanding political prominence in the United States sojourn among us " unheralded and unsung "—two of them being Senator Hiram Johnson of California, the Republican, and Senator Oscar Underwood of Alabama, both of whom are of " Presidential timber."
* * * * The Imperial Education Conference which has just concluded its sittings has accomplished all that its promoters had anticipated—and more. It has stimu- lated all who attended it, and has sent them on their way believing that, despite the vast amount of work which still remains to be accomplished, " the systems of public education throughout the British Empire are based on sound educational principles." Dr. W. J. Viljoen, the Superintendent-General of Education in the Cape Province, gave an admirable summary, in the Sunday Times, of the basic truths underlying all educa- tion. He lays down some essential maxims, which may seem mere commonplaces but arc nevertheless worthy of repetition :— " The children are the nation's most valuable asset.
No nation can, with impunity, afford to negle;:t its Intellectual wealth.
The more advancei and progressive a nation, the more generous and liberal is the provision it is prepared to make for the education of the young.
After all, there is economy in what appears superficially to be extravagance in educational .expenditure, provided such expendi- ture is wisely administered."
What a pity it is that more critics of America's seizure and confiscation of intoxicating liquors carried as sea stores in British ships were not able to hear the speech Mr. James M. Beck, the United States Solicitor-General, made while he was in London to the American Society. The void has, however, been partially filled by a vale- dictory article which he contributes to the Sunday Times. All the more weight attaches to Mr. Beck's reasoning because he was opposed to Prohibition and believed that the enforcing amendment " is both impracticable and inexpedient." The chief point which Mr. Beck makes is that foreign ships would have been permitted to conic freely within American territorial waters with any quantity of intoxicathtg liquors, provided that • they manifested them, had .foreign ships shown respect for the laws of the United States. " Smuggling became notorious ; many foreign ships in our docks," says Mr. Beck, " became floating bars." Mr. Beck believes that if " the persistent violations of our laws by foreign ships should stop," Congress, which now alone can act, will exempt sea stores out of consideration of comity.
* Reuter informs us that the referendum held in Manitoba last week on the proposal to allow the sale of beer and light wines with meals served in licensed hotels has resulted in a majority of 30,000 votes against the proposal. This followed the decision of the provincial electorate last month to permit the sale of liquor for home consumption under Government control.
It is regrettable that exigencies of space compelled the Times to relegate the extraordinarily suggestive letter by Mr. Christopher E. Storrs, of Malvern, on Education in the Empire to page 6 of that journal on July 14th, for I fear it may be overlooked by many. He said that there are many British Public School boys whose parents cannot afford to send them for three years to the Univer- sity, but who would gladly avail themselves of a year's " Empire University " course if such were in existence,
" the object of which would be primarily to visit the greatest of our Dominions and see something of the life from within ; and secondarily to carry on during the voyages involved a course o: study which would perhaps lead to certificates or diplomas it connexion with one or other of our universities."
* * * * Perhaps on some future occasion in the columns of the Spectator Mr. Storrs will elaborate his ideas. Briefly, what is proposed is that this perambulating " Empire University " of 200 or 300 boys should own its own boat, and this modern Argo, manned by teachers with imagination, should convey its youthful cargo to several of the leading centres in the Dominions, where a term would be spent. Before the ship arrives in a new Dominion, lectures concerning its history would be given, while during their sojourn the students would be " farmed out " as paying guests of families within the Dominion. Thus a year's tour might well start off with three months at Montreal or Toronto, thence by Jamaica and the Spanish Main through the Panama Canal to New Zealand and on to Australia for another three months, ending up with three months in South Africa. As Mr. Storr remarks, there might be scholarships for the less well-to-do, a similar scheme for girl students and a similar annual tour for young people from the Dominions.
There arc naturally many difficulties in the way, financial and otherwise, before such a scheme can be started, but of one thing we may be certain. If our World Commonwealth of Free States is to continue in being—as I believe it will—the chief essential is first- hand knowledge on the part of those who will take a prominent part in the public life of our democracies. Indeed, I consider that no one should be permitted to take a scat in any of the Parliaments of the Empire until he had spent six months in one or other of the Dominions.
Moreover, why should not this grand tour include at least six weeks in one or other of the chief American universities ? No world-tour for the British student should be complete without a visit to the United States.
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