New-York tribune., 1917-07-19
Changes in the British Ministry

Changes in the British Ministry
It is only natural that in all comment
on the several changes in the British Min
istry the chief occasion of speculation
should be the appointment of Sir Eric
Geddes in the place of Sir Edward Carson.
When this brilliant organizer was chosen
two months ago to fill a new office at the
Admiralty under the revived title of Con-
troler Of the Navy, the question was put
with some asperity in Parliament: us
there so great dearth of able men that
Sir Eric Geddes has to be chosen for
every new post that is created?" The
truth is, however, that Sir Eric Geddes
had proved so singularly successful in
the numerous duties he had undertaken
since Lord Kitchener first invited him
more than two years ago to help IN the
organization of the munitions department
that the great majority accepted the ap-
pointment with evident satisfaction. Nor
is there any reason to look with misgiving
on his prospects as First Lord.
On the other hand, it may be doubted
whether there is sufficient ground for the
conclusions drawn by those who welcome
the change with most enthusiasm. They
seem to be divided between two opinions:
one, that the late First Lord was mere
cipher at the Admiralty, without force or
originality; the other, that on questions of
naval policy he was constantly at odds
with his colleagues. But they agree that
for one reason or another he was fall
ure, and ought to go.
Mr.. Pollen is among those who rejoice
at his departure, and he ventures so far
in his zeal as roundly to pronounce the
appointment of Sir Eric Geddes "the most
important single political event since the
beginning of the war"--a surprising dec
laration of faith, which can only be con-
frmed by the event, but sufficient in the
meantime to enable Mr.. Pollen to recon-
slider his utterly desperate view of Brit
ish naval administration.
Mr.. Pollen halls the change as a
miracle" but as far as Sir Edward Car
son is concerned it was surely not unfore-
seen. Rumors of his impending resigna-
ton have been current for months, and it
was well known that he was prepared to
go at any moment, if it were clearly in
the interest of the navy that he should
do so. He had powerful enemies, yet it
was obvious from the first that the opposi-
ton he encountered was not in the main
professional nor in any way associated
with his work at the Admiralty. It is
said that he showed lack of initiative.
If Initiative" connotes the gifts so shin
ingly displayed by Mr.. Winston Churchill,
until at last (as Sir Reginald Custance
laments) they were extinguished by "the
apostles of false doctrine" then, indeed,
1t must be confessed that Sir Edward
Carson was sadly wanting in comparison
with his illustrious predecessor. $50 long
as 1 am at the Admiralty" he promised,
"the sailors will have full scope. They
will not be interfered with by me, and
I will allow no one else to interfere with
them" And it is believed that he kept
his promise.
Doubtless we must take the departure
Of Sir Edward Carson as a promise Of
other important changes to come. Reor-
ganization at the Admiralty has pro-
ceeded more or less steadily for the last
six months, and before long we shall prob
ably hear Of further reforms. From
what Mr.. Pollen says it may be gathered
that no sooner had Sir Eric Geddes set
foot in Whitehall than everything was
turned topsy-turvy, and by a sort of wave
Of the wand thousand troublesome ira
ditions were instantly abolished, and, like
magic, all the machinery began suddenly
TO run without a hitch and at ten times
the speed ever witnessed before by any
man living And the miracle was that
this amazing change was achieved by a
newcomer without causing the slightest
offence TO the most crusty old fogy in the
place. Every one was happy.
In the quality Of First Lord we may
expect greater wonders of him. II in
month or two, as we are assured, the
Admiralty under the influence Of the new