The Washington herald., 1912-08-17
A WASHINGTON PASTOR
SEES TROUBLE AHEAD
FOR GREAT BRITAIN

SEES TROUBLE AHEAD
FOR GREAT BRITAIN
Rev. James H. Taylor pastor of Cen
trail Presbyterian Church. has just re-
turned from a visit to England and
Scotland His sojourn. though not ex-
tended. gave him an opportunity TO get
inside the present social movement in an
unusual way. and he does NOT hesitate 10
give voice to his own conclusions.
my last visit to England and Scot
land was made several years ago, said
Mr.. Taylor. II find on my return a
great many things of unusual interest
"Of course, the average American is
impressed, as always, with the splenoio
spirit of law and order that prevalls-a
respect for law which raises Within him
the question as to whether the Engnsn-
man may not. after all, have more lib-
erty than the American. Certainly he
has more protection and safety.
Two things that at present are agl-
tating the British mind and constitute
acute problems are the naval programme
of Germany and the industrial pro-
gramme Of Loyd-George. One can
scarcely pick up a paper in the British
Isles without seeins the various phases
Of this German problem discussed. and
the entire press speaks OF the matter
as the German menace But, IN my
opinion. It is the pride and insistence
of the Britisher that make him stand py
the two-power naval programme which
| ia draining the people. through taxa
| ton, to build ships enough to meet the
two-power standard. For the next few
years Germany will build a certain num-
ber OF ships per year, which pracucaily
forces Great Britain TO enlarge her navy.
On all sides there is bitter denunciatlon
of Germany as menacing the peace OF
| the world. and Great Britain thinks that
after centuries of Christianity the other
nations should continue to let Great
Britain police the world. In fact, the
average Englishman thinks that Provi-
dence has designated the British Empire
to police the world. This was all very
well when the world was a village, but
the world have grown too big Tor one
nation to undertake to be beneNoleh'
| policeman.
The most talked of man in England.
continued DR.. Taylor, lis Lloyd-George.
He is roundly applauded and roundly
Rated His latest scheme. the national
insurance act. is the most talked OF
thing to-day next to the German ques-
tion. This act practically provides in
| surance benefits for the employees IN
| cases of sickness or idleness. Strange
Ito say, many OF the working classes are
as bitterly opposed to the act as the
employers. In a word, the employer sets
| side pence. or cents, week and the
| employe pays 4 pence, or cents. week,
which amount is set aside under govern
ment supervision as a fund out of which
benefits are to be paid. The physicians
Ihave rebeled against the act on the
ground that the government Is not al
lowing them sufficient per capita remu-
reration for attendance upon the pa
tients. Thus the whole matter fairly
ibristles with complications.
| Asked about the social agitation in
Great Britain DR.. Taylor replied:
There seems to be a tremendous cur
rent of unrest, especially among the
working classes. To an American IL
looks as II the great masses of workers
were beginning TO wake up and rebel
against this time-honored system OF
class and caste distinctions which for
ages seems to have been unquestioned.
The immense holdings of land in the
hands of the nobility does not seem rea-
sonable TO these waking masses. Lloyd
George is voicing and defining this un-
rest, and now is proposing a plan that
will distribute some of these immense
tracts. These things in staid old Britain
are nothing short Of a social and indus
trial revolution. One paper spoke OF the
national insurance act as the greatest
piece OF legislation that England has
had since the passage of the corn laws"
| In answer to The Herald's query on
comparable drink situation, DR.. Taylor
said:
"one cannot fail TO be impressed with
the amount OF drinking in England. and
| especially In London. / think l see n
tremendous increase in this habit since
my last visit To see well-dressed young
girls going into the open barrooms with
young men by scores and hundreds, as
is the case in London. is enough to
alarm any observer. And yet there is an
acquiesence as If this was a matter OF
course. The trouble is that soft drinks
and soda waters are not sold in sufficient
quantities to offset this wretched condi-
tion of things. What London needs IS
a tidal wave Of soda fountains.
"One cannot help being impressed with
the atmosphere of religious life of the
people" observed Rev. Mr.. Taylor. I'm
Scotland this is a marked characteristic.
A Sunday in Edinburgh is typical Of the
people. The great quiet that pervades
everything, the sense of rest, the cessa-
tion of business. the open churches. and
the streams of worshipers explain in
| some degree the secret of strong char
acter and moral fiber of the Scot.
Even in London one is surprised 10
find so much quiet on Sunday. There is
a feeling that every man has right to
rest on that day, and the majority avail
themselves of that privilege. Britain $
problems are acute and far-reaching in
influence How she will be able to solve
them will be OF immense interest to the
world. At any rate these present ques-
tions are as serious as any that have
ever affected the national life and char
acter. Into their solution she must and
will give the best in the nation. 1t is to
be hoped that this great nation, which
has taught the world the art of govern
ment, may yet find happy solutions OF all
| these difficulties which threaten her