The Detroit times., 1910-09-21
EDITOR SWAPS
. BRITISH POLITICS
VIM. 7. Stead Explains Remarkable
influence of c. L. Garvin, of the
London Observer.

LONDON. Sept. 21.-One OF the
most remarkable features of British
politics OF recent years has been the
emergence Of a new personality whose
very existence is probably unknown
to the American public, says w. L.
Stead, In a cable to the New York
American.
For the last twelve months the
whole course OF British politics has
been dominated by a single man, and
that man one who Is a member OF
neither house OF Parliament, "a man
who Is neither prince nor peer, but
Q plain plebeian whose very name Is
unknown to nine out OF ten In the
British electorate.
He IL not a wealthy man. nor has
he enjoyed the advantages either OF
aristocratic connection or OF univer-
sity education. Nevertheless, he, alone
and unaidcd, has dictated the policy
of one of the great English parties;
| he IL was who compelled the unwill-
| ing house of lords to. reject the bud
| get. and who precipitated the general
election.
And after having committed the
/ two parties to life and death strug-
. gle over the constitutional crises, he
again interviewed with authority and
compelled both disputants TO adjourn
. their disputes and endeavor by con-
! ference to arrive at a compromise.
No one who Is on the inside track
of British politics will dispute any OF
/ these statements. But no outsider
. knows him, and in America 1t Is prob
able that his name will be heard for
the first time when 1t Is printed in
4 this article.
This remarkable man Is not even
an Englishman. He is an Irishman.
! and was born less than fifty years
ago. His name Is CARVING. l.. Gar
win, editor OF the Observer, the oldest
and most influential of our Sunday
papers; chief leader writer on the
Daily Telegraph, the inspirer OF and
occasional contributor TO the Daily
Mail, and the political chronicler OF
the Fortnightly Review He began
life as All Irish Nationalist, but soon
left the ranks OF that party, and.
coming to London. became an earnest,
even impassioned, Imperialist. When
Mr.. Chamberlain made his plunge for
protection Mr.. Garvin at once became
the journalistic standard-bearer OF the
new party.
II was not, however until Lloyd
Georges budget was introduced last
year that Mr.. Garvin revealed himself
as the master OF the party Which he
had previously been content 10 serve.
In q series of articles, written with
consummate skill and inspired by an
almost savage passion, he dashed and
spurred the timorous and reluctant
peers to reject the budget. Even all
his frenzied invective and scornful
objurgations would have failed had 1t
not suited Lloyd George to play into
his hands.
The Chancellor OF the Exchequer,
who Is a shrewd and willy politician.
deliberately played for the rejection
OF his own budget. II the lords had
passed the budget. the Liberal party
would have been compelled TO appeal
to the country on the Welsh Disestab-
5lishment bill, and a dissolution on
such an issue would have spelled ruin
for the Liberal party. 1t was neces-
sary, according TO his calculation, at
any cost to challenge the peers to a
conflict on the financial issue. Mr.
Garyin. all unconsciously, played into
the hands of his astute antagonist
The dissolution followed, and the re-
suits OF the general election compelled
the house of lords to accept the de-
tested budget.
Mr.. Garvin's hold over his party
was somewhat shaken. But the death
! of King Edward afforded the adroit
journalist an opportunity which he
was prompt to seize. He proclaimed
q truce and insisted that the leaders
of both parties should confer as to
whether an amicable settlement Of
! the constitutional crisis could not be
arrived at by consent This again fell
lin with the humor of Lloyd George,
| and the conference was called. But
y for Mr.. Garvin II would never have
assembled.
I consider Mr.. Garvin the new Dis
raeli; q Disraeli outside Parliament
At present he Is hated and feared by
\ the Unionists. just as Disraeli was
i hated and feared by the party which
4 he compelled to do his will. Mr.. Gar
win will find the task OF educating the
| Unionists to repeal the union one
/ that will strain his power TO the utter
most. But he Is a man of splendid
audacity and Of inexhaustible energy
and he may succeed.
At any rate. have said enough to
kshow that all Americans who wish to
| follow intelligently the course of Brit
ish politics will do well to keep their
eyes upon Mr. Garvin.