Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-21
COALITION GOVERNMENTS

War tends to break down party barriers. Political
parties have their origin, as a rule. in issues, on which
there Is a we'll marked division of sentiment among the
people. They may represent different ideals on matters
Of domestic or foreign policy. They often persist long
after the things which gave them birth have ceased TO
be issues. But when a new and greater issue looms up.
while formal distinctions may still be made, these are apt
to be subordinated to the needs Of the immediate present.
The war has caused changes in the form and spirit
of the party government in several Of the great nations.
In Great Britain we have seen the Liberal administration
headed by Premier Asquith succeeded early in the war
by a coalition administration in the creation Of which
party lines were ignored. This has again been succeeded
by the present administration headed by Lloyd george.
which is also a BIZ bipartisan affair. France has had a
somewhat similar experience. Several cabinet changes
have taken place, and the purpose in each case has been
to place each party In an attitude Of responsibility by en-
trusting its representatives with the conduct of impor-
tant affairs Of state.
Russia. following her overthrow of the Romanor
dynasty, is attempting to bring order out Of confusion by
uniting her various parties and factions in a single
coalition government which shall possess the confidence
of the people and give stability to the new order.
1t was often suggested in the days Immediately pre-
ceding the entrance of the United States into the war
that it would be wise for President Wilson to adopt the
coalition plan, and to name for some cabinet places men,
bers of parties other than his own. Some writer's at ,nat
time appeared to believe that this course would be fol-
lowed. OF late the subject has not been discussed, per-
haps because it seemed evident that the president was not
at all likly to follow this course, at least for the present.
1t may be observed that our governmental system
is so unlike those of Great Britain and France that the
methods which are useful in one case might not be de-
6lraplo IN the Otner. In Great Britain parliament Is the
supreme authority. In it are vested all the powers of
government. Premier and cabinet constitute what Is re-
ally the executive committee of parliament. of which body
they must be members, and to which they are at all times
directly responsible. The French system is quite similar,
and utterly unlike our own.
1t is apparent that under these foreign systems the
cabinet is a very elastic body, and that in times of en-
Urgency it is quite likely to reflect in its composition the
merging of sentiment which goes on throughout the
country and the subordination Of those issues on which
parties have been divided. In the United States we have
an executive chosen directly by the people for a definite
term, responsible to the people. and not responsible in
any way to congress. which has no authority over his
acts save through the medium of legislation.
But, while the president has given no indication of
intent to create a coalition cabinet, the work of coalition
has been going on, nevertheless. The issues pertaining
to them are recognized by men of all parties as the
supreme issues. There have been differences Of opinion.
but those differences have not conceded with party lines.
Members of the presidents own party have opposed meas
ures which he urged as essential to the well-being of
the country, and those measures have been championed
by his political opponents. Opposition leaders have been
called into frequent conference with the president. The
eminent Republicans in the country. The country has
been placed above the party, as it should be.
1t is evident that for purposes of comparison we have
nothing to learn from the Russian situation. Russia is
in revolution. The regular operation Of government has
been suspended and the provisional organization which
has assumed temporary charge of affairs really represents
a people without a settled government engaged in the
attempt to form one.