The Washington herald., 1917-12-13
BRITISH GROW
FESTIVE; WAR
POLICY CAUSE
Charges Georges Govern
ment Unstable General
Election May Be Called.
BY ARTHUR :. DRAPER.
special Cable 20 WashInEtOa Herald
and New York Tribune.

London. Dec. IA situation nov
exists in England aDproNimating ia
many details that Immediately pre-
CeGIni the downfall Of the Asquith
COVER lmeEt. In the last week sew
cral government ministers end Tory
organs have threatened to resort to
2 general election, Churchill being
tire latest 10 suggest this method OF
learning the country's will
That OF course. Is an admission
that the government considers its
position unstsb sblc With domestic dif-
ierences Americans are not Concerned,
hut they are interested in the fonda
mental causes OF the present political
confusion.
Military situation.
The FIRST OF these is the present
unfavorable military situation. Had
the Lloyd George government been
aUle to point out before now the
fulfIlment Of the many rosy promises
made last spring and early summer.
its present position would be Un-
sssaIlable. Instead. IT must nov ask
the country to make further saCri-
fees OF men and money. In the
next ten days the government must
decide upon a new man power bill
and get IL through Parliament. After
forty months Of war this problem
Is extremely complicated.
Italian eXigenCies. however. demand
its immediate solution. The second
cause Of the present political Confu-
sion IS the question OF war aims. Be
fore the government can hope 10 OBJ
tain the confidence and support OF
the country II must tell the people
clearly just what is its objective. The
war has dragged on so long the peo-
pie are no longer willing 10 invest
lives and money without a Gusrsn-
tee as TO the future. Rhetoric no
longer sIficeS.
England IS not united in It's war aims
Though the Moderate party is rapidly
becoming the majority. the radicals
are still extremely powerful on one
side men are urging the premier 10 re-
affirm his Knockout policy. on the
other. statesmen are advising a mo9e
moderate program. Apparently NOT
even his Official family is united on
war aims. While Bonar Law con-
demned Lord Lansdowne letter Sc
verely. Lord Robert Cecil found littfa
difference between il and President
address. though he considered
the tone Of the former Ipost unfortu-
nate. Labor members OF the govern
ment do not share the same Jews held
by most Of the Tory ministers
Lloyd George heads a coalition sov-
crnment, but though a Liberal he
owes his position to Torv support. j.
is impossible TO draw party lines now
and brand Liberals. La Dor men. and
as Moderates with Tories
and 'bitter-endeTs." Lansdowne IL a
Tory and 50 is Bonar Law. but thei-
views are dIameulcally opposed.
Effect of I. =. Policy.
When IN September the government
received communications from Ger
many through Switzerland relative TO
peace negotiations the divergence OF
views was not 50 great a. at present
kYehlmanE was endeaVorinE TO learn
the war aims OF the Va a.ious bClhEer-
ents. notably Belgium. Then came
tho reply OF the central powers to the
Naucan's note. BefoT- that the
ReichstaE msJolliy peace resolution
had been adopted For 4 time il SEEM
ed as if something WOULD come OF the
secret communications. Lut the COL
lapse of Russia -erved 20 put the GEL
man military part. in the saddle
again.
go A TTT