Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-05
British Cabinets Failure

| iiEfE is no mystery i'll the British de-
mand for reconstruction Of the Cabinet
At last to be granted In time of war of
Unreasonable and unceasins sacrifices Of life
and treasure. no government can retain public
approval and public confidence which does
not win succcss-and the coalition has failed.
or that failure there are illustrations
enough on the surface OF affairs. and proba bly,
a larger number which have been concealed
by the activities OF the censor. The history
OF entente diplomacy and of entente military
effort in the Balkans is succession OF
plumbers. From the lamentable collapse al
Galipoli. with all its tremendous losses
through the campaign in Mesopota mia Wit.
its ruined hopes. and the Sa loniki expedition
with its long record of futilty and inaction
the allies have sacrificed prestige and en-
countercd defeat
In the realm OF diplomacy failure has been
equally pronounced. In the early stages Of
the war. Bulgaria Roumana and Greece
could have been won to the allied cause had
sufficient concessions been made them and
at that time their help would have been in
valuable. Turkey. certainly. would have
been rendered harmless. and the whole course
OF the conflict might we'll have been changed
The blockade Of the central powers would
nave been Il different and far more effective
war measure had Balkan armies blocked the
road between Berlin and Constantinople
Serbia might have been saved from the desola-
suits OF INDIGESTION were the long hesitation OF
Roumania. the neutrality of Greece and the
adherence OF Bulgaria to the Teutonic cause
British public opinion has not failed to
perceive that Tor these failures British states
manshlp must bear large share of the blame
"A foolish fondness for Turkey and a mis-
taken jealousy of Russia-mistaken at least
when the great issues and prizes OF the pres
ent conflict are thrown into the balance
prevented IL
time when prompt and drastic action alone
would serve.
There has been dissatisfaction also with
The use which has been made of British sea
power. The submarine campaign of Ger
many is having its influence on imports and
Is an increasing menace to the suffciency of
1000 supplies. The German feet has been
permitted to accept or reject battle AS il
pleased; ii il did not desire to fight il hid
IN the Niel Canal, and if it fought il was
on German terms There is insstence that
some way he found TO use the feet to more
purpose and in II way which promises larger
and more immediate results
1t does not follow that all the rcscntmer,s
which have been created arc justified or that
change in the ministry will uroducc &,
change for the better in the conduct OF the
war 10 cost government popular sup
port IL is sufficient. in a democracy. that sue
cess has no, been attained. a great nation
great peoples confident always of, it's
own inherent, potential strength; if there is
failure, 1T is imputed always to the lack or
wise leadership
ct. in this case. il is likely that the democ-
racy of Britain is right. The British Cabinet
~ an unwiedly body Of twenty-thrce mem
bers, and. although there has been war
council. lis responsibilities have not been SUI
hcienily determined, or its authority sur-
hciently final, to forbid the interference of
other cabinet ministers II is even possible
there nave been weaknesses in personnel
What democracy looks for nowadays i'm city
and nation i'll peace and war is a centralized
authority which il can hold fully responsible
That is what the Asquith government must
find means TO provide