Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-27
Britain's Coalition Cabinet

D RITAIN'S coalition Cabinet undoubtedly
l. Will strengthen the country in the prose
cution of the war. 1t represents not only all
parties save the Irish Nationalist. whose
leader. John Redmond, declined a seat but
nearly every shade OF political thought. With
all of these differences of birth, station tradi-
tion outlook and prejudice, it is animated by
an unfaltering purpose to unity the nation in
the great struggle.
1t is admitted generally that Premier AS
quith has gathered around him the abest
minds in British public life. There could be
framed no Cabinet that would make more en-
phatic appeal to popular confidence The
Willingness of men like Winston Spencer
Churchil to step from Offices of first import
ance to others Of less dignity and influence
clearly reflects the attitude of the leaders
The Unionists contributions to the Cabinet
are from the front rank of that party's states
men. Mr. Balfour. Lord Lansdowne Lord
Curzon, Bonar Law, Mr.. Chamberlain are all
men Of high type with long and varied ex-
perience in public life. Their services to
the empire in the present crisis of its for
tunes may be expected to equal their great
abilities and the new opportunities and re-
sponsibilities that have been thrust into their
hands.
Lloyd George takes a portfolio newly
created-that of Minister Of Munitions 1t
Is the office on which the Pail Mall Gazette
has declared the safety of the nation depends
and which that organ of Tory opinion de-
manded the radical champion should fill 1t
will be his work TO supply the arms and mu-
nitions so essential to the progress Of armies
In the field. His task is tremendously to in
crease the production of British factories and
perhaps, importations from American fac
tories. He Will deal with problems of labor
1nefhciency, drink and their kindred evils
He is expected TO inspire every man engag
in the manufacture OF arms with exactly the
the men in the trenches of Belgium and
France.
1t is a large order. Kitchener. autocrat
and military martinez. has failed. and the
nation turns to Lloyd George. We shall ex-
pect to observe an immediate change in
method. British workmen are not going to
be bludgeoncd into nything-certainly not
by the halfway measures that have been en-
ployed. made up Of one part barney and sup
plication and three parts Gliding and abuse
Either England must adopt compulsory and
universal military service and muster the
workmen of muntion factories exactly as IL
does the soldiers in the field, or else appeals
to patriotism must be put on the same basis
and enforced with the same arguments as
they would be in this country In the coal-
ton ministry there will be demands for COM
pulsion but there will he no yielding to until
Lloyd George has had opportunity to try out
his plans.
These Will involve, we should say, personal
appeals to the men and, if necessary, increa sed
pay If the owners of the factories cannot
get results Lloyd George will hesitate not a
moment to take the factories under govern
ment control He will not distress himself
greatly with prolonged efforts to determine
just where the fault lies We shall be sur
prised If he does not convince England that
ordinary. everyday humanity will respond
generously and heartily when it is approached
in the right way.