The Washington times., 1916-12-04
THE BRITISH CABINET CRISIS


Mr.. Lloyd George has resigned as
secretary for war in the British cab
met, and Premier AsGuith has
asked the King for authority to re-
construct the government. Plainly
enough, Mr.. Lloyd-George thinks
that a motion for q vote Of no con-
fidence would carry the Commons;
and II It shall be proposed by his
supporters, with his acquiescence,
doubtless the event will prove him
correct. The present government
can hardly survive long without
Lloyd George. Everybody is for him;
and the people most decidedly for
him seem to be those former enemies
of his who now want his tremendous
energy and determination in charge
of the wars conduct. His retirement
is simply the most vigorous protest
of which he Is capable, against the
war management that has been gen.
orally under criticism Of late.
In asking for permission to recon-
struct the present government, 1t is
to be assumed that Mr.. Asquith de-
sires to avoid q general election.
Probably It can be avoided for a con-
siderable time at least IL Mr.. As
quith is willing to retire in favor Of
Lloyd George as premier. But it
must be doubted whether such a de-
termination finally be effective.
Maybe Great Britain really would
be better of for a general election.
The present Parliament has been in
Office longer than any since the time
Of Cromwell. During most Of that
period Of authority, it has been un-
der attack by the Lontlon press,
which is preponderatingly tory. Mr..
Asquith's going has been promised
time and again with all assurance,
yet he stayed on. Within the life
Of this Parliament, Mr.. Lloyd-George
has ranged, in the opinion Of this
London press, from an anarchist,
wrecker Of institutions, an enemy to
property, and a demagogue Of deep
est dye, to the great man Of his day,
the savior Of the country, the one
human grip and purpose that might
be trusted with dictatorial powers.
Now this same conservative press,
seizing upon the disaffection Of the
country with war accomplishments,
is once more turning out Mr.. As
quith, the greatest political COM
poser of his time. II is noted that
the most authoritative indications Of
the program in mind, declare for a
war council Of practically dictatorial
powers, composed Of three Conserva-
tives and two Liberals; even that
Mr.. Bonar Law is proposed for its
head and for premier. Perhaps, short
of an election that would turn out
the Liberals, that may be accom-
plished; but IL looks about as prob
able as IL the present House Of Rep
resentatives would choose Mr.. Can
non Speaker and acquiesce in max
ing Nelson w. .Aldrich-if he were
manager Of the
country.
British political opinion is always
hard to understand from the British
because they are SO gen.
orally opposed to the Liberal party.
But there is one sign that the pres
ent agitation may have real basis.
That is, that the Manchester Guard
ian, a Liberal paper, and one OF
splendid ability and patriotism, has
Joined in the insistence that a
change must come about. When the
Guardian takes such a view, II is as
il the New York World has discov-
cred that President Wilson was al
together an undesirable President.
A general election might distract
England for a few weeks; but II
would do useful service IL, as is
strongly suspected, il would produce
q verdict so decisive as to end this
kind of chickering's. There were peo-
Pile in this country who, in 1864, be.
moaned that the Union must worry
a political campaign in the
midst of war; but the outcome of
that campaign so far. strengthened
the hands of Mr.. Lincoln as greatly
TO help him bring the war TO a sue
cessful issue. A British election
nnu, ,,,ioht do ae ynush