New-York tribune., 1908-03-15
POLITICS IN TRANSITION
RECONSTRUCTION WORK.
Sir Edrard Grey's Proposal for Leb-
.ononising of Macedonia
rsp.cia, By French cable 70 The Trisuael

Tcop.rssh;. 1905 by The tribune Assoc.aaoII
London. March l4.-cabinet reconstruction
conducted by irresponsible amateurs is not
serious occupation NJ. Asquith has not taken
counsel with the Cuionists, who wish TO wreck
IRE government as speedily as possible. nor wiln
.he ambitious youngsters or the Lioerai size
bent upon pushing themselves 10 the front
Changes are unlikely before the ouoset speech
and TIE Kings return. nor are the Prime MIN
ssters colleagues anxious 30 retard his recoV-
cry by premature intrigues
The Un;onists sre boasting that they VII
carry Peckhara and every byelection in slsh1
end thar the Lords. having started in with the
Scottish land bill. will reject every Lioerai
measure this session except the caidrens Dill.
They are also protesting that they do not want
e general election next year. since they cannot
hope FOR e working majority The question OF
the supremacy Of one house or the oJher VIII
become urgent if a middle course be ahanooned
and the government programme for the session
be absolutely vetoed In that event seneral
election may become necessary, and popular
reaction against the Unionists may be witnessed
Meanwhile Lord Rosebery is recruit for
The Spectators small but select party. and
has made a deep impression by his outspoken
condemnation Of crude socialism the end Of
al things-enpire, religious faith. property and
freedom
John Burns has rendered more practical SER
vice to the cause Of sane Liberalism by his
cssrstic attack upon the Socialist right-to-TTork
bill which be described as destructive TO the
great fabrics built up by the trade unions and
friendly societies
Mr. Asou;th has rallied the Liberals against
Til. measure, and the Unionists are nlagnifying
she Importance Of what they call breach with
TIE Labor party. Only two Unionists voted
with the Labor men and Nationalists and this
Is O. sign that tariff reform cannot involve cOah-
s1on with revolutionary socialism A CONSIDER
able number of Radicals Joined the Socialists
fn supporting their measure They represent the
extremists who believe that Free Trade can be
saved only by the adoption Of conectiVist
schemes OF ownership Of canals and railways
and other methods Of fostering trade and pro-
sidins employment. British politics is in a
transition stage. with forces operating for The
reconstruction Of both the main parties
Sir Edward Grey continues to supply evidence
of rrmness and fexibility in his conduct OF
foreign affairs He does not act irnpulsiVely, but
takes an independent line Of his own after de-
srbe-a1e investigation His proposal for the
i>etanonizir1e Of Macedonia is not likely TO find
favor with either Russia or Austria, which are
Intriguing against each other and seeking 10
form fresh coalitions with Montenegro and other
Balkan states. and Germany cannot be depended
upon TO support IT. but IT is rational plan for
working out ultimate pacication and admins
-ra1ive reform and is a goal worthy Of the dig
r1ity Of British diplomacy Reports that con-
ference Of the powers will be held for the dis
<-ussion Of the proposal are premature. a con-
cert of the powers broken Up by railway. in
-rigues cannot be re-established on higher
ground WITHOUT prolonged delay
The Foreign Ottlce. having forced a settle
rlelt between the King Of the Belgians and the
Chambers. is not nleddliag with the details Of
Congo annexation. When the transfer is ar
ranged and there IS q responsible government 10
dea, with, sir Edward Grey VIII decide whether
the obligations Of TIE Treaty OF Berlin and the
Brussels conference are likely TO be fulfilled and
eafeguards established for the interests OF the
natives and the requirements OF a civilized gov
eminent The outlook for equitable settle
rlent is now favorable, but both the Foreign
offce and the State Department az Washington
gre watching closely every phase Of The Brus-
sels negotiations. / n Z