New-York tribune., 1912-03-24
ASQU!TH A GOOD PILOT
Handled Ministerial Boat We'll IN
Weeks Political Storm.
BoNAR LAW DISC0MFlTED
Balfour Again Inspires Feellng
That Victories Cannot Be won
Under His Leadership,
rBy cable to The Tribunc.l

Iondon. March 23.-Premier Asquith
emerges from the political Crisis "hlch
has been the salient feature OF the week
with increased prestige. II was storm
in which the ministerial boat might nave
been swamped by a big wave on either
side. He succeeded, like the sagaclous
pilot he is. in keeping the boat headed Tor
tho waves. and has carried it into smooth
water.
Whether the ministry is strong enough
for the heavy work of passing Hoh'
Rule and Disesta blishment this year IS
an open question, but in any event MT
AsUiith, after surviving the tremendous
pressure Of social revolution, CANNOT
have any rival for the leadership. he
has dispensed with the services OF the
Chancellor of the f ;heauer, except as
T. negotiator, and has employed sir Ed
ward Grey as his chief lieutenant. The
deIiverance of the government from I'M
minent peril and discreditable defeat has
been mainly the Prime Minister'S work
The Radicals have been cXulting over
the discontinue Of ronar Law with pre-
mature hilarity. While Mr.. Balfour has
again proved himself a matchless de-
batter, he has taken away the hghtns
spirit Of the Unionists. and the agsres-
sive Tories who drove him out OF TN
leadership are already saying that he
converted the action of the Opposition
into an empty manpuvre and power
fully reinforced the government.
Certainly he has revived the feeling oil
the last ditchers" that victories cannot
he won under the leadership of so amia-
bile philosopher. proved by comparison
that Mr.. Law is a hard hitter and Gre
ated the sentiment that the return Of Il
strong Unionist government, committed
10 compulsory arbitration of all indus
trial revolts would protect the country
against the evils Of syndicalism and rev
oIution. They complain bitterly of the
lack of courageous leadership, and still
believe that the brusque business man is
the superior fighter. There were ardent
Tories eager for q general election AMI
convinced that the atrike would settle
itself without political interference and
leadership.
peathbIow to syndioalism.
The country has the assurance of w.
Brace. one Of the members for Glamor-
gan. that syndicalism has received n
death blow in South Wales and else
where, but this particular Labor Mem
ber of Parliament may not be good
witness, since he was deposed from the
miners executive committee by Vernon
Hartshorn and other extremists.
The working people have learned that
they are thrown out of work and starved
when the syndicalists are massing the
resources of the labor federations and
holding up the industries of the nation
This may prejudice them against the
violent policies Of the socialist strike
leaders. but the battle for law and order
has not been won by the arrest Of "Tom"
Mann and by the prospect that a feeble
makeshift like the minimum wage bin
will become law.
The syndicalists have discovered that
they can paralyze industries and create
topsy- -turveydom. and they will hardly
he satisfied until they try the expert
ment again. The government may bring
the coal strike to an end. but it remains
nnarmed when a renewal Of the gigan-
tic struggle which has already been so
disastrous to the nation is q foregone
conclusion.