New-York tribune., 1918-04-19
By C. w. Gilbert

WASHINGTON, April 1s.-The, ap-
pointment Of LORD Miner to be Min
lister of War in England, in succession
to Lord Derby, who becomes Ambas-
sador to France. means a vigorous ef-
fort to increase British man power
available Tor service on the West
front.
Lord Derby's administration of the
War Office has been criticised because
there has not been enough combing of
the so-called essential industries for
men who might be spared for active
DUTY and because not enough dilution
of industry with women workers has
taken place. Only six weeks ago
large number of women workers in
munitions factories in England were
dismissed from employment.
Probably the responsibility for the
weakness of the government in fail
ing to obtain the utmost man power
does not rest solely upon Lord Derby.
Iimidity with regard TO Ireland has
compelled caution in enforcing and ex
ganizcd labor was partly pacitist, and
could point to the failure to ccnscript
the Irish. And this attitude of labor
had something to do with generosity
in exemptions from service and the
failure to make the utmost possible
use of women workers,
Lord Miner a Strong Man
Lord Miner is different kind of
man from Lord Derby-one Of the
strong. determined men of England
Lord Derby was appointed to make con-
scription popular. Lord Miner goes
IN to make it effective. His leaving
the War Cabinet, for it is understood
that he will be succeeded in that bodv
by Austen Chamberlain, for the posi-
ton OF War Minister means that new
importance attaches. to the work of
forming armies in England. England
IS making an effort with her back to
the wall.
Lord Miner will have the ADVANTAGE
OF different state of opinion fro,,,
that under which Lord Derby worked
nan power TO stop the German drive
anu noid tnc western front until the
american army arrives in full strength
will unite. '1"sia"o
ne British government is anx;ous
mat TINS. country shall understand the
ruin about the situation with regard
TO Ireland. There is now. for the 5irst 81
simc IN British history, absolute una
hmlty about giving the Irish self gov
crhhnent. fhc announcement that tho
L'oyu George government will stand or
Iaii On ehis issue is not another mere
nt.o'hlse OF home Rule. 1t means that
.hc men VINO have led the opposition
to Home Rule almost since thc dave
OF Charlottesville. Balfour, Lord Cur.
zon and Bonar Law--are now COMMIT.
ted 10 its support.
it 10 explained in British circles that
what mas led to this unanimity is the
pack to the vail" position Of the Hrit-
isn Empire. 1t must have man mower
~ could not go to disafected labor
ana ASK Tor men who might be spared
put tecnnicaily were exempt when la
DOT couid point to the failure to con-
SCRIPT the Irish. /. could not ask Env-
land. Scotland and Wales to accent con.
Dcf,ption OF men from forty-onc to fifty
~biie youths IN Ireland were not in
service. And it could not conscr;nt
ireland without giving Ireland Home
Rule. The Home Rule bin win GO
swiftiy. through Parliament, i. was cx-
planned to-day, so that Ircland's man
power wiz soon be available.
Trouble with Ulster lis not expectcd
because without Conservative support
IN Parliament UIster's opposition is
likely to collapse. The Ulster qucs-
i, sion yrs largely political question.
The Conservatives drew members from
Ulster, and In turn backed Ulster. even
TO the point of open rebellion. Now
Lonseryatire pressure viii be upon
Utter 10 yield
From conscription in Ireland q force
yaf'ous1y estimated ut from 10000 to