South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-09-21
FATE Of ENGLAND
HANGS IN BALANCE
Country Must Act and Act
Quickly if it Wins the War
Says Editor.

(Editor Of Pan Mall Gazette


LONDON. Sept. 49, We have
reached an issue on which the destiny
of England and the result Of the war
viii probably turn. That issue depends
on the moral and executive leadership
OF the nation by the government.
There have been alarmist stories Of
the speedy breakup Of the cabinet on
the question of coascription. or of a
general election 10 decide that ques-
ton. ] put aside these rumors because
IL would be quite impossible for any
ministry 10 be so reconstructed and
II would weaken the whole basis OF
government whatever cabinet might
De formed
A few weeks ago I pointed out that
coalition cabinet could not possibly
exist on near anti-cOnscriptiOnist terms
and that a continuance Of the bitter
criticism and impUtatiOn against those
who hold the reasoned and profound
conviction that national service is es-
ential 10 the thorough waging and
winning OF the war could only lead
10 a breakup of the government
This as / then said is the last thing
we desire. Nevertheless, the moral and
practical problem is very acute.
Some solution must be found for il.
FaVOrS Consumption.
il was understood last week that
the majority of "a strong cabinet COM
mittee appointed TO examine into the
subject has reported in favor of some
form OF cOnscriptiOn. LIoyd-GeOrge is
believed to be alone with that major
ity. The unwieldly cabinet as a whole
has as vet to deal with and decide
the questions which as a whole. il is
very Unqualified TO Judge.
To leave the matter to Lord kitch-
ener is not possible. In the first case
IL is unfair TO put the whole RESPONSE
bility on him and in the second case
there are involved and must be faced
far wider problems than those bear
ing immediately upon the recruiting.
We are in the midst of war where
what we require is action, action, ac
ton
Yet the prospect before us appar-
emily is that of profound cabinet dis
agreements and discussion adjourned
and readjOuTned. And this in regard
TO the most az all vital of all questions
raised at the most pressing hour.
agree with the pith of Lloyd Georges
now famous preface.
Full Effort il Needed.
Unless we make our fun effort in
the next few months we cannot expect
victory in the war. or peace with Sc
curity
agree with MI. Onurcnul IN MS
warning to the country that success
can only be absolutely concluded by
rousing this country at once to put
forth the whole of its capacity. This
cannot be under any system of ego
as we please. SUCH as is bound by its
very nature to Keep a large part of
country in ignorance Of the true ma
ture and extent Of the unparalleled
emergency.
LlOvd-George before all other men
has given the country the leadership
for whic n it longs, He has made ar
ticulate the very soul of the nation
which raves to know more and to do
more. We are in the midst Of the war
Of wars. II there are indeed to be two
sections OF the cabinet. then as we
value our own safety we must follow
those who would have US TO do our
very utmost and quickly, rather than
those who would lull us and postpone.
The real danger is that of a tardy
and insufficient effort on Britian's part
which would mean a dragging. wasting
and yet incOnclusive struggle followed
on what j have called a weak and dis
graceful peace. 1 hold that the inn
measurable calamity of this latter re-
suit ought TO be avoided at all haz-
ards.