New-York tribune., 1918-05-13
Two Major Forces Oppose
Administration of the
Premier
Military Dictator
Advocated by One
Other Wants War Won by
Union of Force and
Diplomacy
By Arthur S. Draper
,en.,;c, Cable to The Tyibuue\

tSpce;o, Cable to The Tribnne>
LONDON, May 12.-An analysis of
the opposition to Lloyd Georges ad-
ministration may help Americans to
understand Britain's attitude toward
the war at the close of nearly four
years Of fighting.
The opposition consists of two major
forces. one of which considers that the
Premier lacks the courage to carry
through an uncompromising policy, and
tsc other which believes that he is
I unsympathetic toward the liberal policy
As advocated by President Wilson.
Both parties desire the prosecution
of the war, one by force only and the
other by combination of force and
diplomacy. in the opinion of the
former group, Lloyd George is an op-
portunist who gives too much thought
to the political effect on the country of
every political move. They would have
Britain follow Germany and live under
military dictator. triumvirate, or
some other committee. ignorant Of
political strategy, but expert in mill
tary matters. They consider Brit
aims only war aim is the destruction
and defeat of the enemy.
That is the policy as exemplified bv
sThe Morning Post" "The Globe" and
the oldtime British Tories. They give
unqualified support to the old army
and navy leaders.
Without Policy Is Charged
The Liberal opposition believes that
The Premier is without policy, and
that one day the Premier advocates
iorce and the next he considers the
possibility of bargaining-or. what
sounds better, egotiating-with the
enemy.
They say shat the present govern
,nent has muddled in the diplomatic
field and blundered on the battlefield.
The Liberal opposition has no love for
the military. 1t is championing Rob.
ertson, Jellicoe, Trenchard and Mau-
rice, not because it believes that the
soldier should rule the civilian. but be-
cause 1t knows that in this crisis the
country thinks only of the soldier and
ms welfare and has grown decidedly
suspicious of the politician.
Lloyd George's government has been
accused by the Liberal opposition Of
paying only lip service to the plan for
league OF nations, to the principle of
reorganization for small nations
and to the rest of the policies which
many consider the only things worth
Hghtlng for in this costly war.
Liberals Want Action
The Liberal opposition wants to "eet
On with the war" For that yerv rea-
son It desires to change the govern
ment' because it believes that in the
hnal analysis the countries must resort
10 negotiation. ~''-
! doubt whether the British public is
tenth as much interested in the Mau-
.s .,ce incident as it was in the sinking of
.a .ac sindictive in Ostend harbor. But
.as me former will have ten times more
'nnuence in the course of the war.
Is only natural that Parliament
saould 20 have fallen under a cloud. In
we ls, next few weeks gigantic battle
WIN De fought. Britain will feel the
!. hSegnt OF the enemy's blows. She will
us Tested as never before. What the
ponIlclans say and do will be of little
lsa, They will remain in the
pseKground, but as soon as the battle
Stops through The exhaustion Of tha
= ssonpa.ants n, the political struggle will