New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-07
George Pleads
For British Unity
To Win the War
Premier Asks That All
fractional Strife Be
Ended
Labor Is Dissatisfied
London Government Faces
Necessity Of Compromises
to Retain Power
Labor Is Dissatisfied
By Arthur S. Draper

LONDON, Sept. 6.-Not until Ger
many undergoes the final strain of the
war will she be able to feel the binding
value Of real freedom. This was the
keynote of the address of Premier
Lloyd George to-day before the Royal
National Eisteddfod at Blrkenhead.
Russia, he declared, would have OK
hibted greater unity in war if she had
enjoyed greater freedom in time OF
peace, for unity of action was the high
est expression of freedom.
The Premier made q powerful plea
Cor national unity and peace within the
empire and for the.sinking of sectarian,
POLITICAL and personal differences. This
was the great day of the empire, he de-
clared.
Liberty Owes Much to Britain
What would have happened to the
liberty Of the nations he went on, III
il had not been for the British En-
pire? When the war is over humanity
will know how much human liberty
owes to the fact that the British En-
rre is no sham, bit a reality.
Great empires are necessary Tor
protection and security and strength,
but small nations are necessary for
concentration and intensive effort. The
British Empire is made up of four
nations, but they to-day are one IN pur-
pose. one in action, one in sacrifice,
and, please God, soon will be one in
triumph"
Many important compromises and
concessions must be made in the COM
ing weeks, and much plain speaking
will be necessary, IL the complete ma
tional unity for which the Premier
pleaded is realized. Another critical
point Of the war has been reached and
a delicate handling OF the situation IS
highly essential
Unlike America, Britain has no l. w.
W. troubles and no German newspaper
propagandists. but she has a great num-
Der of disconnected and dissatisfied
people with whom she must deal. The
British arc at their best when facing
the heaviest odds; their calm under
terrifying rain Of bombs is simply as.
founding TO foreigners; their patience
under trying circumstances commands
the admiration Of all; their confidence
in their leaders and in themselves IS a
great asset.
The British people appreciate now
that the odds are very great. They are
taking the almost daily air lombard
ments cody, though their patience rs
being put 20 the highest test. They
hold the same confidence in themselves,
but whether their leaders still retain
their full confidence is another matter
Labor Dissatisfied
There arc plenty Of arguments on
both sides. There Is no question that
labor is organizing. not only for the
reconstruction period, but FOR the i'm
mediate future. 1t has given striking
proof of the accuracy of this state
ment this week.
Labor is distinctly dissatisfied, and
the split in its ranks is Of little conse-
auencc. Another rebellious element,
composed of Tories who have broken
away from the Labor party, has formed
a new party. Then the Liberals OPP
posed to the government, who had sunk
TO low political level, have suddenly
showed signs of regeneration.
Heretofore Lloyd George has enlist
ed TIE skilful assistance OF Asquith
when his government has been in
critical position. There is no greater
political ctrategist in Europe than As
auth, and no keener judge Of public
opinion than Lloyd George. Between
them they may succeed in uniting the
various elements, but it will be only by
adopting a spirit of compromise.
1t would be folly 20 attempt to pre-
dict the future political developments,
because they are entirely dependent IN
the military operations.
Ribot's speech to-day is as much an
answer to a large section of his own
people-the people who forced his min
istry into its present embarrassing po-
sition-as il is to the Pope or the Ger
man people. The French political stu
alton is not unlike that at Berlin, cx-
cept that the former has developed
faster