New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-20
Copyright. 1918.
London. September 2.

London, September 2.
A malignant ill-fortune still pursues
this Government: confronted IS it has
been twice within few weeks by enc
mics at home almost more formidable
than its enemies abroad. II is Gov
eminent of good intentions-indeed, Of
the best-honestly attempting to con-
duct the greatest war Of all time in
circumstances so difficult as to be with
out parallel. When l reflect on what
they are fighting for, l almost-but not
quite-agree with the most injudicious
of their friends that from all criticism
they ought to be exempt. Yet In an
other moment | remember that 1t Is
criticism which during the last twelve
month has strengthened their hands,
spurred them to new effort, brought
about, or helped bring about, wiser
policies and more energetic methods.
And of criticism in the form of plain
speaking there is still need.
Cabinet Criticism.
Even the criticism OF silence is
sometimes effective. And the criticism
which consists in telling the truth,
printing the facts and leaving the
facts to teach their own lesson, Is
sometimes the most effective of all.
That is the form in which the new
crisis in Wales has been met by some
Of the journals which have been the
best friends Of the Government, and
are, therefore, reckoned its enemies.
These Englishmen have ways OF their
own. They are not our ways. They
might not answer in America. But the
Englishmen who follow them know
what they are about.
The Latest Welsh Mutiny.
It is less than six weeks since the
last (so-called) coal strike in South
Wales. That strike was settled, or
supposed 10 be settled, by conceding
to the Miners practically everything
they demanded. You cannot have for
gotten how Mr.. Lloyd George went
down TO Wales, dealt as he best could
with the situation, came back to Lon
don and was hailed as successful
Ambassador. The success rested, so
far as the merits or dement's of the
dispute were concerned. wholly with
I - d.
time and the menace for the immedl-
ate future were felt to be so grave
that a great body of public opinion
was ready TO welcome any settlement
which averted or postponed the danger.
But victories of that sort have
seouels. and the sequel to that one has
not waited long There has been an
/ other strike, and once more has the
| Government surrendered. Once more
have the Welsh Miners triumphed.
Once moro in order 10 triumph have
they broken their pledged word and
their signed agreement. once more
/ have these Welsh Germans brought aid
and comfort TO the main body OF Ger
mans in Germany itself. They ad-
[ dressed to the English Government
their usual threats of strike; before
/ which the Government. as usual, gave
way. They reinforced II by a threat Of
a general coal-strike all over Eng land.
And so once more have they made IT
plain that for few more pieces OF sill
YER they are ready TO sacrifice, and do
/ in fact sacrifice. the interests and
| safety OF the Nation TO their own dis
I honest covetousness. OF patriotism
! they have none. or loyalty they do not
/ know the meaning.
The Miners Case.
/ The details of their claim and OF the
Ministerial submission are not worth
/ stating. The broad fact is that they
presented their new claims TO Mr.. Run
/ Gilman, President of the Board OF
/ Trade, a Cabinet Minister. agreeing 10
/ be bound by his award. His award
{ gave them almost everything they de-
/ manded. but because on one point he
decided against them. they revolted.
struck again. and again threatened that
! the whole body Of South Wales miners
! should come out unless on this point
also they had their way. Their idea
! Of Arbitration as between themselves
and the coal owners is Heads | win
Tails YOU lose. They are apt pupils
~ our too eminent Mr.. BRYAN. They
don't need TO go so far aheld rs Mr..
BRYAN in search Of Mentor and an
- he