New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-23
Coalition England's
Only Safeguard,
Saws J. L. Garvin
by Cable 10 The -CSune J


ing in The Observer says:
ITO suppose that Lord Fishers coup
alone could cause this transformation
is futile. This constructive revolution
is the cumulative result OF very differ
ent factors, some Of recent date some
far older. Ever since the Constitution
al Conference Of 1910 it has been clear
20 some thinkers on both sides VINO
have never quite lost touch with each
other except st two moments When
domestic strife became envenomed and
desperate) that in certain emergencies
Of the future a coalition would be the
only constitutional safeguard left 20
this country. When there was peril Of
- Furopean war in 1911 and 1912, It
was apparent 10 men Of thought ana
foresight that the great tempest, II u
ever burst, would bend and break party
government.
"In this respect Mr.. Lloyd George
more than any other man in politics
had the discernment of genius and
rlimpses Of second sight. He looked at
the matter from the point OF view OF
democracy. for he knows the conditions
under which democracles have so often
perishcd since Athens went down under
the iron stroke of Sparta. Mr.. Churchl4l
was led TO the same perceptions from
different point of view, and IN some
WAYS he surpassed his colleagues IN
his clear provision Of the admlnistra-
tive realities Of the war.
Mr. Balfour after his resignation OF
the Conservative leadership was lifted
above party altogether and saw me
future plainly. He was able in his
apparent retirement to master the
Anolo-Saxon problem as whole more
thoroughly than any other man. lie
perhaps alone of British statesmen
read clearly the omlnOus indications OF
the new German strategical railways
reaching out 70 the west and realized
what the Belgian question might mean,
giving his whole mind to the matter
and remaining a member OF the Com
mittce of Imperial Defence.
MIR. Balfour by insenSible degrees
and almost unconscicusly to himself
and others became greater power IN
the State than he has been since he,
was Prime Minister. All this was
created even before the war in quiet
gradual. very British manner IN that
certain atmosphere Of precaution which
the German people could not be eX-
pected 10 understand. When the war
broke out the question Of whether &
national ministry should be formed was
raised IN circumstances that cannot
vet be related. II certain ministerial
designations had then occurred coall-
ZION Cabinet would have been formed
N The first week Of last August
Mr. Garvin. referring 10 the attack
On Lord Kitchener. says: re IS no
minister whose ruin might not be ac-
.ompnshed # there is TO be .mpunlty
for such methods as have been used
gaiast Mr.. Churchill with temporary
success and have then been attempted
against Lord Kitchener. only 10 meet
with the overwhelming ignc.nlny OF
failure. We must stamp on this thing
/ even Il dictatorship has 20 DC set up
n H.. H. We must crush the organiza-
tion Of anarchy and vendetta II IS
oyite certain that II needed a dictator
hin would be employed. The country
. ovnccts the coalition 20 be stronger and
r,orc decisive than the administration
which has so suddenly disappeared.
Above all things, the country demands
that the new government sha. govern.
Itrd,r Dresent conditions the ministry
e the DAY possesses unlimited power.
Fverything will be forgiven Except a
weak use Of these powers. Inc prop
lem is. therefore. simple, and the mem
I hers Of the coalition can so'Ve II II
they have courage enough hey must
either defend each other or re over
/ thrown one by one. If they nave not
courage enough, the coalition will per,
,sh IN derision and other mans will
| hen be adopted 70 win and end the
war. We shall soon see. Our enemies
] IN tie last ten days have been foolishly
.ncoJraged. but GU allies and neutrals
happ:iy know already that Great Bri,-
tam is only finding herself. In week
| from now she will prove 20 the world
| that she is only rising 70 the full
height of her power aud de ,ermina-
tion -