The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-06-12
ANOTHER CABINET
CRISIS in ENGLAND
Trouble May Lead to Retirement of
Asquith and Elevation of Lloyd
'eorge to the Premiership.
UNDoUIe> WEAKNESS SHOWN
Present Official e to Handle
Situation Minister %unitions
+
Is Well Qualified for lace.
BY J. W. II. MASON.

BY J. w. T.. MASON.
New York, June 12.-Another cab
met crisis is threatening in England
which may lead to the retirement OF
Mr.. Asquith, and the elevation OF
Lloyd George to the premiership.
The present ministry is showing
undoubted weakness in dealing with
the British labor situation and Lloyd
George, who, as minister of NUM-
tions, is responsible for the output OF
war supplies, evidently intends to try
to overthrow the government if that
is the only way Of wakening England
up to realization of the seriousness
of the situation.
The undoubted fact is that the AL
lies up to the present have lost the
war on land. The theory that Ger
many can be brought to terms by be-
ing economically crushed is not as
confidently maintained by statesmen
among the Allies now as it was last
summer. The crushing process gives
evidence not only of taking too long,
but also of involving the Allies them
selves in financial difficulties.
Vitality Demonstrated.
The wonderful vitality of the Ger
mans, and the remarkable recovery
of the Austrians are being demon
strated simultaneously with the col
lapse of Russia in the east and the
failure Of Kitchener's army to help
the French move forward in the west.
At this moment, when the fortunes
of the Allies are at the lowest point
they have yet reached, the British
workingmen have compelled the gov
ernment to make formal announce
ment that the authority of the new
minister of munitions is limited. This
declaration is for all practical pur-
poses a public humiliation deliberate
ly inflicted on Lloyd George by Brit
ish labor. The trade uniOnists have
demanded that the minister of NUM-
tions be brought up sharply, because
in a speech few weeks ago he sug-
gested military discipline might be
applied to war factories. -
To Accept Challenge.
1t seems as if Lloyd George in
tends to accept the challenge thus
thrown at his feet. England is woe
fully lacking in strong men at this
crisis in the history Of the British en-
pire. Lloyd George is the only man
the nation has who is capable Of en-
gaging in campaign against the
dilatory tactics of labor with any
chance of success. But he cannot do
this if he remains minister Of num-
tions, with the strictly limited au-
thority attached to his position. He
must become prime minister if he is
to put forth all his energy and exer-
else his abilities untrammeled by
subordination of authority.
Not Ideal Man.
Mr.. Asquith has not proven him
self the ideal man for the premier
ship under present conditions. He is
a drifter and dislikes working, ex-
cept by spurts. When crisis comes,
Mr.. Asquith brings his mental quail
ties to bear upon it, but he never
will exert himself to prevent crisis
arising. He allowed Lord Kitchener
to hold absolute authority at the war
office until public criticism develop
ed; and he likewire permitted affairs
at the admiralty to become a scandal
before he intervened.
Lloyd George is the opposite type
of statesman. He is constantly &C,
tive. He must keep busy at all times
or be in distress. Mr.. Asquith's
character is admirably fitted fol
guiding a political party in which
many divergent beliefs prevail; but
it is not the kind of temperament
that makes a great war leader.
Lloyd George possesses the energy
and directness of purpose which Mr.
Asquith lacks. England's sole re-
naming possibility of rolling back
the German line in France and Elan
ders probably depends on making
Lloyd George premier.