The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-12
ONCE BLACKSMITH,
NOW GREATLEAOER
David Lloyd-George Is Peoples
Champion in Battle Against
British Peers.
BY HARRY C. FARMER.

LONDON, Dec. l-.-Nn ny are tho
people OF England ready TO go TO the
extent OF abolishing the house OF
lords IN all but name merely to per-
init the liberal party in the house OF
commons to enact its legislative pro
gram?
In the past the people OF England
have been proud OF their nobility.
This has been drilled into them Tor
centuries. Why, then. have they sud
denly conceived the idea that they
have rights anything like equal TO
the rights OF their betters? Something
astonishing must have happened 10
breed such heresy in their minds.
Something astonishing has happen
ed A little man with a massive brain,
with dynamic personality. with Abra'
ham Lincoln's love OF humanity
plain, homely. grizzled Welshman
from a blacksmith shop-has broken
into the house OF commons. has dom
ineered his way into the cabinet, has
stood up before the people OF Eng
, land and cried aloud the grinding
misery under which they have been
living, without moral or mental com
prehension. That man is David Lloyd
George. the chancellor of the ex'
chequer.
Has Awakened Public.
Lloyd George, alone, however
could not have reused the insurgency
which is today sweeping England.
The things Lloyd-George had the
courage 10 set forth-in terms that
every Englishman knows are true
arc the influences which have awak-
ened the public conscience and STIR
red the people TO revolt. These are
some OF them:
Twelve million people, nearly one
third OF the population OF England,
are hungry today.
| Half OF the land of England is own
ed by 1000 people, l. which class Is
/ included the members OF the house
OF lords.
| More than half OF the land OF the
| British Isles is owned by 5000 peo-
! pie.
Four million acres of agricultural
/, land in England has been converted
| into game preserves by the aristoc-
racy within the last six years.
Ninety nine and two-tenths per
cent OF the farmers OF England rent
the land they till from the aristoc-
racy.
Seventy-seven per cent OF the peo-
pie of England live in cities.
Sixty years ago the number OF peo-
pie in England was 26,S00,000, and
the country produced food for "a
600 900 of them. Today the number
OF people in England is 100000,
and the country produces food for
only 100000 of them.
The liquor traffic OF England is
practically unrestricted. and the aver
age annual consumption of wines,
spirits and beer is 31.6 gallons,
against 142 for the United States.
Until the LloydGeorge budget was
adopted last spring. there was no tax
on land in England.
Three million adult male citizens
OF England are prohibited from vot-
| ing by tn eproperty qualifications OF
the election laws.
Property owners vote in every poll
teal division where they own proper
| ty. and elections are spread over a
period long enough to give the land
owners time 10 go from place To
! place and cast their ballots.
The results of the elections up TO
| last night were: Government coali-
ton: Liberals. 1873. Laborites. 80. Ma
tionalists, SO, Independent National
lists, seven. total 27S, and Unionists,
| 226.
Would Clog Wheels Of Progress.
I The conservative party of England,
which controls the house OF lords al
most unanimously and which has
nearly half the house of commons
through the unionists, represents
three principal property interests
the land owners. the government
church, and the liquor interests This
triumvirate stands solidly against the
control OF government by the masses,
| against remedial legislation so essen
tia TO English humanity. II fought
| the liberals as a unit in the election
on the Lloyd-George budget and has
! been fighting them as unit on the
! veto bill.
These interests want TO continue
| their control of government that they
may continue TO enrich themselves
at the expense of human progress.
] They are willing that one-third of
| England shall be hungry and cold in
order that the land owners may keep
right on collecting their high rents:
that the church may keep right on
/ dominating the education of the
youth with a UNCONVENTIONAL creed,
and that the liquor manufacturers
and dealers may keep right on col
/ lecting their enormous revenues by
| the debauchery OF the people.
Fundamentally, the struggle in
England today is struggle between
hunger and entrenched privilege.
And the returns from the elections
now closing indicate that hunger has
scored a signal victory
WOMAN DIES AT l04