New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-21

personal devotion 10 Mr.. Asquith, have
now TO reckon gravely with the stern
feeling of their party under the leader
ship of Sir Edward Carson. They are
so uncertain of their own ability to
remain in the government that they
can no longer assure the Premier OF
their unconditional support.
Finally, Mr.. Lloyd George has great
ly strengthened his position in the last
few weeks. He has escaped from the
conditions of "cold storage" in which
his ardent energies had been impris-
oned almost since the coalition was
formed nearly year ago. His infu-
ence has unquestionsbly increased as a
result.
Though a member Of the government.
there is no secret about Mr.. Lloyd
Georges position. His temperament is
more French than British, and he is in
intense sympathy with the spirit of
unconquerable energy and will by
which France has confronted German
organization.
His Views Winning Ground.
Mr.. Lloyd George is the real leader Of
all who detest half measures, mskeshifts
earth. he has Enthusiastically restored
contact with the origin of his strength.
For months he was almost isolated in
the government and had little support
either in Parliament or the country.
BY some perverse fate the man who
had been nearly all-powerful until the
coalition was formed and did more than
any one to bring it about lost touch
with nearly all sections of public opin-
| ion. He is once more its sure inter
prefer.
lie had been too far sighted and too
quick in insisting upon the gravity of
the war at time when British feeling
WAS still possessed by comfortable
fallacies as to the conditions and the
length of the struggle. Now his view
has been indicated by events.
In regard to military organization
Lloyd George has been the chief advo-
cate of thoroughness, finality and COM
pulsion. His ideas have in the main
prevailed. They will equally have TO
/ be adopted in some other respects. 1t
is quite safe to say that to put him
! back again into "cold storage" will be
impossible. He will have more power
either within the government or out
side il.
More Powerful than Asquith.
If he resigned and went into Oppo-
sition he would now be more powerful
than the government itself. His line
would be extremely able. He would
not commit the fatal mistake of sdver-
Using himself as a substitute for Mr..
Asquith. Far from that. He would
offer the Prime Minister his full sup
port on condition that the right things
were done. He would be free TO speak
both in the House of Commons and the
country. He would be in better po-
sition to impose his policy on the gov
! eminent than under recent conditions.
Mr.. Lloyd George, as every one
. knows, is on terms of close friendship
with Sir Edward Carson. But he is
too sane to break finally with Mr.. Red
mond. The worst of his troubles with
labor are over. He means, ! should
imagine, to be reconciling influence
in the country, as well as a determined
force in the war.
Under these conditions Mr.. Asquith,
as ! have said, is seriously weakened
both in Parliament and the country. He
] is faded and perplexed, but still OBJ
stnate and resourceful. II he were
any other man his position would be
untenable.
Incompatible in dexterity, as he is,
/ a master of political management, the
Premier may possibly survive even the
J loss of his prestige in the sight OF the
/ Irish Nationalists and the Labor party.
: At the end Of the war he may still oe
at the head Of combination.
Separate Powers OF Premier.
1t cannot in any case be the same
/ combination. His best course would
I be TO adopt an exredient urged on him
/ long ago.
The same man cannot do Prime
Minister'S general work and be at the
same time an adequate President OF a
| War Council.
The presidency Of the War Council
/ ought to be separate Office, and TO
put Mr. Lloyd George at the head OF
/ it would do more than anything else
. 70 strengthen the government. The
/ War Board itself should be remodelled
I and Lord Fisher or some other sailor
added 10 il.
This, however. is solution which
/ Mr.. Asquith is not likely TO take unless
/ il becomes the last resort sort OF res
| ignation. few months hence even a
/ totally new coalition government might
be formed unless the present Cabinet
can very soon give definite promise OF
| better results.
The House of Commons exists on
sufrerance. Its legal five years term
was finished at the end OF last year and
was prolonged for eight months. The
extension expires in August.
II by that time the country's rising
demand for more vigorous handling
OF affairs is not satisfied there will
have 20 be a general election. certain
20 return an even larger and stronger
war majority to Parliament.
That even our political troubles and
crises under democracy should make
steadily for better national org, MIA
tion and lighting efficiency is another
of the things that Germany cannot
easily understand.