Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-12-30
THE BRITISH ELECTIONS

The late British elections resulted, as was universal
expected, in the. return of Lloyd George and his
|alition government to power. 1t was not expected,
sowever, that the coalitionists would carry almost every
ling before them in the manner shown in the returns
.hich' Have just been published. Out of a total men,
aairship in the house Of commons the coalition group
lis carries, SIS; seats, with a few constituencies still to
4 reported. OF the remaining seats the Sim Feiners
lntrol 20, the labor party about rs, while the two-score
tats left will be divided between the Irish Nationalist
I'D the Asquith Liberals.
The outstanding feature Of the election is, of course,
)e fact that in spite of the mistakes which have admit
idly been made, the people of the United Kingdom have
t the seal Of their approval in the most emphatic man
pr on the participation Of Great Britain in the war, on
% ideals for which the war was fought. and on tie
neral policy of the government in carrying on the af-
FRS OF the country during the trying four years and
pre- that have elapsed since the war began. The last
Element above made perhaps requires some modifica-
"a. The verdict should perhaps be considered more
OF confidence in the existing government-in its will
aolhty TO conduct the business Of the country
Tough the period Of reconstruction than a blanket ap-
Pval of everything that has been done.
The result of the election must be gratifying to the
lmier and his ministers as an expression of approval
confidence. There is the possibility that the mag
hde Of the verdict may prove embarrassing. A po-
cal party that is charged with the conduct of affairs
IS its best work when its majority is large enough to
ure the enactment Of those measures to which it is
roughly committed and not large enough to en-
ader carelessness on the part of its leaders, or to in
. the growth Of strong factional rivalries within it.
e. The Lloyd George administration might occupy
better position II. with a majority just sufficient for
ectiveness, it were to be confronted by a numerous,
. and alert opposition. which would keep the gov
lment on its mettle at all times.
There are many, noteworthy features in connection
h this election, which,. under an emergency ruling,
J been deferred until two years past its ordinary legal
A.s~
Because of the success of the Sim Feiners and the
I that they will decline to sit in the British parlia-
mt, the Irish representation, which, in the past, has
.cted not only Irish but general legislation, will be
uced to something like a dozen members of the old
:ionalist organization, and these will lack the leader
- Of some Of their ablest men.
The labor representation in the house is increased,
the increase falls far short Of the expectations of
labor leaders. David Henderson, the present leader
ths Labor party. is among the defeated candidates.
Every member Of the present administration was re-
Md, and in each case the majority was large, fact
8achseliminates the elements Of chance and local sen
emf
oniya0ne woman, a Sim Feiner. was elected. There
ms to = no evidence that women voted largely for
3neH candidates. or that they voted IN groups for any
Sdidates apparently the vomen's vote was. Is in
I country. attributed Jrst about - the mems vote
4 and witASskFsfersnc to ~.
faIne dispats4sSNSpoint out, too, that the extension
en9 iranchiss q vSNhep and e very many men hither-
lnelslole, whieagt was predictsd, would radicaiize
fovsrnraents has haAsno such eject, a the c~oalitlon-
fsre' g z srsap. ~4saesdiy more conservative than
iia3al II their tsndenesMaAsS
enc cannot psls ron 70 sus..e. vtthaut Il le.st1