Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-04-02


sings of "Arms and the woman The crisis which
confronts the people of Great Britain epic in its So
cial well military and governmental possibilities Pre-
mier Asquith with fertile brain and master hand has
turned ministerial crisis into personal and party advan-
tage which promises to change land conditions revolution
ze the British secure home rule in Ireland If indeed
it does also result in the early aboshng of the House
of Lords whose veto power has already been temporarily
suspended in connection with the Irish struggle.
The mutiny of of the British army officers in the
face of Ulster for the protection of military stores
and possible riot duty nothing having been ascrbed
to the influence of the fair with the officers from the
per classes the whole question Of the representatives of
efemnate arstocracy at the head of Engands military
which assumed aggravated phase during the Boer
becomes complicated with the religious political and
economic questions involved at this particular time in the
home rule struggle
AS an outcome of the alleged misunderstanding of or
ders which resulted in that the officers
protesting would not be forced to upon their
Protestant coregionsts Ulster it became necessary for
the Asquith ministry to have scapegoat to comply with
the demand of the unionsts to dissolve Para
ment and appeal to the people for fresh mandate
were vote of confidence 1t would do to have it
pear that the ruled Parliament and through Parlia
ment the British people, Such situation would be fatal to
discipline, if not to the government itself.
A. Bonar Law the conservative leader in opposition to
home rule had skfuly made it appear that Premier AS
quiths ministry had become responsible for the mutny by
bringing about impossible situation for the military but
developments proved conclusvey that the conservative
champions of the House of Lords aided and abetted by the
the forces should be entrapped and actually
encouraged the mutiny.
Taking advantage of the reaction in public sentiment
growing out of this discovery and the labor because
these protesting officers had willingly attacked strikers
Premier Asquth has provided scapegoat demanded by
of his party associates well the British pub
lie by accepting the designations of Colonel See the
tary of we'll of Field Marshal French chief of the
general staff of the British army and Adutant-Cenera
Ewart.
The boldes and most inspiring of the British
premier however, is the political by which through his
appeal for re-eectf- to Parliament through his
suents he provides test of public opinion to his
mnistrys course without cabinet resignation. At the
time Mr. Asquith avoids setting back home rule three
six would result from the dissolution of Para
men and general election owing to the provisions of the
parliamentary act that the three sessions which the home
rule must must be consecutive If Parliament
dissolved the home rule bills passage would necessarily be-
gin all again.
Premier Asquth thus saves home rule, while securing
the popular of his acts which the British system
demands, whenever the question of majority behind the
government is seriously in question
Moreover, Premier Asquth, pending his reelection,
gains advantage by performing the duties of secretary of
addition to those of the premiership With Asquith
in the department army officers will know they deal
ing with who will stand while the British
public knows step will be taken in Ulster not positively
demanded by the requirements of the occasion
Premier Asquith is thus put in splendid position to
make his issues before his constituents he army we'll
home rule" 1t has been limited by Colonel Seely that
grave issues have been raised which may the whole
British army system have to be recast and trenen
dous results to follow.
If Premier Asquth is returned to Parliament with an
increased majority will unquestionaby that army
must bow before the law and the British people 1t will
questonaby that offering of large part of the
British from the aristoracy and the wealthy classes
because the officers is insufficient to meet their
sary expenses, must
One of the outcomes will be to make the army
possible for poor but deserving men, this will
largely increased army expenditures. Another and
ar-reachng result will be to make the British army less
social function and pink tea affair and of military
weapon, capable of genuine service in time of need
If in addition to home rule which ASquith to
secure the premier bring about reforms in the British
army, which will amount to verabe revolution, and put
the House of Lords where belongs in Engands scheme
of responsible popular government he will do what Glad
stone himself unable to accomplish and establish his
title of the great men of modern Britain.