El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-12-20

7 OSDON. Eng, Dec 20.-On Deem
l. Der Il Great Britain. and her sol
diers overseas, went to the polls and
elected for five years a parliament be-
lieved TO be pledged TO support David
Lloyd George not only during the
peace negotiations. but for the period
Of reconstruction.
Three months ago Lloyd George
was 80 unpopular throughout the
country that many even OF his
lvarmesf supporters gla0mily
agreed that the country when it
EOt the chance would sweep the
coalition cut of office and elect n
labor government.
It is the victorious end OF the war,
and the vindication Of the prime min
ister's Judgment in pressing for the
knockout blow" when the military
situation looked darkest. and refusing
TO strengthen the western front by
Withdrawing from Saloniki and Pal
estine the small armies that eventu-
ally knocked out Bulgaria and Tur-
key that is largely responsible for
the collapse OF the opposition to the
present cabinet
Lloyd George. then. Will have things
all his own way at the peace confer
ence, so far as this country is con-
cerned. The old ministerial group
which directed the policies of Britain
during the first two years. Asquith.
Grey and their supporters. are not
likely to have more Of a lookin at
Versailles than Roosevelt or Taft.
other Factions Furious.
Both the Asquith Liberals and the
various Labor groups are furious at
the present situation. Lloyd George.
they say, has tricked them He Ger
fainly has. II triclSing them means
leaving them out IN the cold without
an issue on which TO appeal to the
electorate. Asquith still STYLES him
SELF leader Of the Liberal party. which
nominally he is but the vast bulk of
members Of parliament elected at the
last polling eight years ago on the
Liberal ticket have assembled the Lloyd
George band wagon
On peace issues. Lloyd George
has TO n certain extent committed
himself TO the Wilson program.
but he may be expected TO stand
firm against any curtailment of
British rights At sen, and 10 hold
out for such territorial arrange
meBts regarding the German feet,
NesoPotamia, Persia. German
South and East Africa, and the Pa
rific Islands, as Will satisfy Opin-
ion in this country.
There still remain the old two main
points Of domestic policy in dispute
the everlasting tariff and still more
eternal Ireland
Would Favor DOminions.
Lloyd George has deserted the free
trade position on the tariff and come
over to the principle OF protection He
now believes that whatever tariffs
the various parts Of the British empire
may set W, other parts OF the empire
shall have the benefit OF lower terms
than foreign countries. How this viii
affect the commercial relations be-
tween Canada and the United States
probably depends upon Canada, who
VIII not consider herself bound by any
arrangements or opinions OF the gov
eminent OF these islands. The prime
minister has also agreed 10 support
the British key industries by tariffs
and TO favor measures to prevent
dumping by German. or presumably.
other foreign countries.
Irish Situation Serious.
The Irish crisis bids fair to shortly
assume proportions almost as large
as just before the war. when open
armed conflict seemed possible. At
that time the great majority Of Brit I
ons were home rulers, and the Tories I
less. last ditch battle, as most Of them I
are now ready to admit Home rule
for Ireland, whether or not il involved /
the coercion OF Ulster, was in July. 1
1914, on the verge OF accomplishment, l
with or without civil war.
Today the position is very different. 1
disgust with ireland for re- ]
fusing CONSUMPTION and not taking &
nart IN the war on the same scale as
the rest OF the empire. and anger at
the 1916 rebellion. has caused thou