13Aug36: ENGLAND LOSING GRIP ON EMPIRE, SHAW SAYS

DETROIT EVENING TIMES

Dateline: Thursday, August 13, 1936

PAGE 12

ENGLAND LOSING GRIP ON EMPIRE, SHAW SAYS

MALVERN, England, Aug. 13–George Bernard Shaw today predicted the day is not far off when England herself will want to withdraw from the British empire–a case of the tail wagging the dog as he explained it.

In an interview with William Griffin, publisher of the New York Inquirer, regarding Irish affairs, the famous white-bearded wit declare:

“Ireland is quite right wanting to withdraw from the British empire. Why, it will be on a few years before Britain will want to withdraw herself.

“What with India having home rule and other commonwealths getting more power, it will soon be a case of the tail wagging the dog.

“Britain will be sure to try to find a way of wriggling out of empire responsibilities and then it will be up to Ireland to see that Britain remains in the British empire, whether she likes it or not.”

Referring to the situation in Ulster, Ireland, Shaw told Griffin:

“Within a short time the manufacturers of Ulster will be begging the southerners to admit them to the Irish Free State as labor is getting strong throughout Ulster.

“The manufacturers are afraid that once labor gets into power they would lose all their capital, and the conservative vote of the peasants of 26 countries can save the from communism.

“Why, had it not been for the agricultural vote, France would have been Bolshevik long ago.”