New-York tribune., 1908-11-22

ene Irish university bin, the old age pension
scneine and other complex proposals have been
already sanctioned since he became Prime Min
is'er- II both bills fail. he will still deserve
creolt Tor his frmness IN persevering with leg
4siaIoh IN the direction of temperance and state
regulation Of public houses and for his hext-
ouits n adapting means 20 ends and in seek
Ing an equitable settlement of the religious
question in the schools Mr.. Asquith rs likely
10 have pleasant Christmas whatever may be
the iate OF the two highly controversial meas
ufes now before Parliament, each as Just as is
- necessary AS tactieian he has succeeded
tI 'ota4ning powerful reinforcement from the
Disnops for temperance and tolerance and In out
rnaneuvring the peers on two moral issues
which they Will find It inconvenient and pos
sioiy hazardous to reject. To adroitness and
cieverness are added strength and dignity. At
the Guiidhall this week he has spoken like
really great Prime Minister on foreign affairs
and naval policy and commanded the enthusi-
asrn and admiration of both parties. He has the
aoiest European diplomat behind him in Sir Ed
ward Grey, King Edward alone being excepted
and he has always been a champion of sea
power and consequently speaks with tone of
conviction when he declares that England's
naval supremacy must be maintained at any
cost.
Mr.. AsQuith's leadership has disclosed so much
overthrow Of the government cannot be brought
about by direct attack from the Opposition
benches An unforeseen accident may occur but
It is not likely that any coalition can be formed
for forcing the Prime Minister'S resignation. II
he can keep his.Cabinet together he can choose
his own time for dissolving Parliament and ap-
pealng TO the country. but it is not by any
means certain that he do this. A rupture
has been narrowly avoided on the question of
fTRl nth
serious differences OF opinion respecting the fut-
ure policies Of the government Mr.. Lloyd
George is anxious 10 bring in a budget which
will make him the inevitable leader of the Lib
eral-Labor coalition. He wishes TO work out
scheme Of siCk-pay for workmen and invalid
pensions without reference to age and is conf
dent that it be done with the assistance Of
the trade unions and the friendly societies and
with systematic contributions from wage earn
ers- Mr.. John Burns, Lord Morley and other
members Of the Cabinet consider this policy
premature. when the old age pension scheme is
tentative and official can tell what ii is likely
TO cost Mr. Loyd-George having a talent for
constructive legislation, has many expedients IN
view for financing social reforms and maintain
ing naval supremacy These are radical pro-
posals, such taxation of ground rents and land
values and new tangled methods of despoiling
the rich and carrying every form Of unearned
danger Of breaking up into factions over these
financial questions More patience and dexter
ity viii be required in repressng ministerial in
trigues and dissensions than in keeping an IN
manageable ma jority in order and under disci-
pline.
Mr.. ksquith's chief difficulty lies in controlling
an unruly, irrepressibIe pair CT boys each of |
whom expects TO succeed him in due time. Mr |
Lloyd-George and Mr.. Winston Churchill are |
ambitious Radicals who are convinced that |
trade unionism is q growing political force and !
must be cOnciliated and kept in working reIa- /
tons with Liberalism # the party be destined |
TO rule the country. They are the Hctspurs who |
are frightening Wings and Moderate Liberals |
and bringing on Cabinet feuds. Yet Mr.. AS /
Quith cannot spare either Of them. Mr.. Lloyd |
George has something approaching genius for /
constructive work, and the government would |
go down If he were to abandon Office Mr.. Win
ston Churchill has youthful buoyancy, an in |
stInct for forecasting the of political forces
and democratic way of addressing popular au-
diences and Of saying what they want TO hear
and arousing their enthusiasm. He was the best
on the Liberal side in the general
election, and has steadily increased in author
ty and platform prestige. Mr.. Asquith cannot
get on without this lively pair of Radical poll
ticians, and they know it; but, progressive and
almost reckless as they are in their trade union
radicaIsn. they like official life and in
haste TO whip thstles in the Opposition The dex-
ferrous Prime Minister is without resources
for maintaining discipline in the Cabinet house
hold. INF.