Empire or Commonwealth?

Ambitious little ex-Cockney Herbert Morrison, Britain's Socialist Home Secretary, rose to his feet last week to calm an uproar. His Prime Minister started the uproar two months ago with a statement on Britain's colonial policy: "We mean to hold our own. I have not become the King's First Minister in order to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire. . . ." Morrison knew that suspicion and distrust had resulted in the Allied world, and that it was high time another British voice tried to still the criticisms of Churchill imperialism. Said Herbert Morrison:

"I want the British Commonwealth to last, not just because it is British, but because it is good and will be better yet. . . . We are no greedy exploiters. ... I would credit us with a humane, decent, fair-minded attitude toward the less advanced peoples in our charge. The colonial record has had blots and blemishes. . . . But no one can explain the progress that has taken place . . . except by recognizing the operation of motives and policies quite other than commercial."

Churchill had put his emphasis upon "Empire," the Home Secretary put his upon "the Commonwealth," and the difference was bigger than it seemed. The Home Secretary also held out two prospects for the colonies: 1) eventual self-government; 2) greater attention to the development of colonial economic welfare.

But: "It would be sheer nonsense--ignorant, dangerous nonsense--to talk about grants of full government to many of the dependent territories for some time to come. In these instances it would be like giving a child of ten a latchkey, a bank account and a shotgun."

Empire or Commonwealth, Britons of both the Morrison and Churchill stripes intend to keep some sort of hold upon their possessions in the postwar world. They also suspect that the alternative might not be a multitude of free nations, but some form of what they would call "American economic imperialism." Said the knowledgeable, authoritative London Economist:

"One after another the Ministers of the Crown are building up an apologia for the Empire. These speeches represent not only the timely riposte of bludgeoning from abroad but also a new and welcome upsurge of popular interest in the responsibilities of Empire rule."

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