Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-28

The Saxon can learn lesson from
tho Slav.
The men OF mysterious incomes and
the leagues OF unrevcaled funls. the
English Lcnine. tho Scotch Trotzkys,
and the Irish Bolos are all doing the
dirty work Of the foe. They hope to
guide the current OF popular feeling
because there are symptoms of war
WEAKNESS"
Frequently / have mot men who
whspe" TO me past the back OF their
hands that there is 4 big peace move
mcnt among the Industrial community.
These mon are wrong in the sense they
intend to convey.
POLITICAL INTRIGUE
IL NOW PREDOMINANT
There is Il big peace movement
among the workers. as there is among
all tho rest OF us--a heart desire 20
set ,he bloody business done with, SO
tiat we may turn our eacrg;cs to
other fields.
When one gets below the surface
ruities. the thing described as indus
trial unrest" does not mean our
artisans are sick or the war. 1t means
They are sick OF the way certain folks
battcn on the war. Not few OF them
are narrowed with suspicion as TO what
is going 10 be in store for them after
tho war.
AS for determination to lick the
Germans, the masses OF tho producing
class have got nothing to learn in pa
triotism from anybody.
The gentlemen who sit in high places
in the region OF Westminster have not
the unalloycd affection of tho crowd
1t is rot that the difficulties are not
recognized. but there is Geep-seated
feeling that there is too much intrigue.
too much muncuvering to do in" no.
l;ical opponents.
1t is true enough that the old politi-
cal lines have been oblitcrnted. Ye.
the old jealousics are just as rampant
as ever. only they are between different
men. HAS there been anything quite
so disreputab MS the recent cndeavors
70 throw the Prime Minister:
Lloyd George has tho failings OF his
qualities. he had the courage to de-
about the failure OF the allies in GER
tain operations. His perspective was
somewhat asked. and some OF his minor
statements werc wrong. But he was
right in the main linev OF his picture
Hence abusive attacks.
lie has been tho prime mover in pro-
vid!nS that something should be done
10 secure CO. ordination in strategy be-
tween the allied armies.
Al was the scrcech he intends
TO hand tho control of the war over to
council Of politicians. and take away
the individual responsibilities Of Cen
eral Robertson and General Hais."
Quito. wrong!
All that was proposed. and IS pro-
posed. is that the representatives Of
the allies should meet. understand each
Others positions. crdeavor to arrange
unity of attach. and then pass on sug-
,pi-
nenis. Only that and nothing more,
and il there was criticism. il ought to
have been because action on these lines
was not taken before
From all tho whitc-checkcd passion
or the recent past. YOU might have
imagined that Lloyd George was n sort
OF British Sturncr. The secret of the
whole business was that the friends
OF Mr.. Asquith thought they saw
chance OF giving the Prime Minister 4
tumble They ANONYMOUSLY failed
bat it was an unsavory affair all the
same.
We do not expect there will be a per-
feet machine. What is esscntial-in-
deed. have cause for asserting the
change is immincnt-is that:
Prices should be fixed by the govern
ment. that the unnecessary trader or
prohtcer should be eliminated, and that
the government should moro actively
control the prime neccssarics Of life.
once this is effected. one Of tho prime
causes OF unrest in this country will be
removed.
MAKE CLEAN SWEEP
OF REAL GRIEVANCES
The only men deserving o. special
benefit are tn. men who arc risking
their lives for us. and winning such
splendid iriumphs as they have been
doing these last few days
For the rest OF US. we arg all in ,he
same hoat. IL IS pcrvcrsiCn Of de-
mocracy that one lot OF people. who
ever they are, should get advantages
al tho expense OF the rest OF The com
munity
Strenuous times are ahead OF the
government. II it wants tho irnDc,iinr
power OF determined democracy be-
hind it. the causes OF homes, coron,,in.
must be oblitcrated
when that has been Accomplished.
the government will have i fair light
10 call upon US all to suffe-. wlihoui
wincing. for our coun;rJ's .1od
~ Is no good wasting ti'ne ereuirr
with extremists. hut all s"ns!b!r men
know there must be careful adjust.
ment between the men required abroad
LOT "ght'ns purposes and thos. neces-
saFY at home for productive purno..e
rho lot OF the soldier Is the Larlcs,
OF al tie runs more risks and gets
poorer pay than any of the rest Of ~.
ana the young men who have bocn c,
einpted from military service bocar.o
they ar" engaged in an essential jnd,,..
Try. Nc coal mining. for ins,ance. hay.
inc obligation placed upon th.ln -,
work their hardest,
IL III some districts The output OF coaI
- so considcra ble--the difficulty or ,bc
pubic is not OUTPUT. but tranepor,-
va the Golfers need only wori; three
or iour days a week. then tho rov.rn-
meht has perfect right TO take youn.
men in the army
nave been in the industrial scu.h
west or Scotland during all this pas,
week. IS IL a fact that at least 100 Gao
men or lighting age could Er earil..
spared from the mines of Lanarhshirc
II the other miners Of the district mn,
III iu!l weeks work
~ rcaGJGs;meHt OF workers by tn.
further co'nbinE- out Of men engaged
IN what are called luxury occupations.
ny thr atihsi;ttts iuft
forty and sixty in Guasi-military work
so that Younger fellows could he sen,