Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-11
Great Eritain'> Reorganization

Nl.ESS all indications are At fault. Great
- Britain is about To undergo changes III the
relations OF government and individual that
would have seemed revolutionary before the
war. bur now appear inevitable results Of
the trend OF events. Lloyd Georges eleva-
tion 10 the premiership has been followed by
statements OF his intention 10 offer a program
OF socialiSliC regulation which. before the
war. would have seemed wildly anarchistic
10 the average t>riton. but which now will
come as part OF The only plan under which
Great Britain can hope 10 do her part 10
win the war. except after ~intermihahle delay
and intolerahlo suffering.
For 3 long time after tho war began. Great
Britain was hard to arouse. Kitchener and
his recruiting campaign were not sufficient
10 enlist tho lighting force 10 the numbers
required. and conscription was resorted tn.
Even then. difficulties constantly arose. There
was trouble With munition workers: there
We're strikes and threats Of strikes among
laborors whose work was essential TO national
otte:So and defense. While millions were
gallantly doing their bits in Europe. in the
Near East and in the Far East. discussion
and dissatisfaction We're complicating the
problems at home.
The great offensive. the hoped-for closing
oi the iron ring. sustained optimism for a
time. but only for a time. Reverscs for the
allies on the eastern front and the long dead
lock on the western line again stirred ND the
half-sleepinc knowledge that Britain was not
winning. The thought found voice from time
10 time. and with increasing vehemence.
Winston Churchill said. weeks ago. that new
plans. new forces. new methods. must he put
into effect. Later. the Manchester Guardian
SAID IL was apparent Great Britain was not
winning and. further. that unless changes
we're made, there was no prospect OF her
winning.
Now, Lloyd George is the governments
head. and those changes are about TO be made.
That they will he radical. even evolutionary.
is certain. His immediate intention is said
10 h to nationaliZe shipping. mines and agri-
culture. manufacture and finance. and 10
settle the drink question and the chaos in
ireland. All that means. in the end. that his
program will provide for reorganization of
all the resources of Great Britain along the
lines that Germany follows. And that means
that individual liberty will ne mcrged-cer.
,ainly until the end Of the warm one great
national organization.
Nor can il be doubted that his program
must be adopted. il Great Britain is to ac-
%cornplish its purpose, and that the govern
ment must utilize to that end. not only all
IN agencies OF ommcrc and industry. but
the man-powcr Of the nation as well. II is
estimated that in 1919 England. Wales and
Scotland had 100000 males between the
ages OF fifteen and siyty-hvc. About 5000
GOO arc believed To be in uniform. and the
mnniticn plants occupy a considerable aumher
OF the remaining millions. But wh"v are
the others?
Germany's ma n power act is in effect now:
France is about to enact a similar measure.
and Russia is expected TO follow. Great
B'i'ain will hardly escape.
Tho Countess OF Carlisle has destroyed the
entire contents OF her wine cellars. II is
assumed She didn', oven keep her lawful
allowance Of one quart