New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-29
The Lloyd George Triumph


Premier Lloyd George has triumphed
in the British election beyond the fondest
hopes of his supporters. Victory for the
coalition was foregone conclusion, but
the overwhelming majority granted the
present government $40 or of 7O7 seats,
IS an amazing and extraordinary tribute.
1t is in large measure victory vote,
wquestionaby. 1t is in large measure,
also q vote OF confidence in a great per-
Sonality-and one of the few really great
men that the war has produced. The
platform of the coalition was essentially
Nr. Lloyd George. his views and his abil-
ty That was the weakness Of the coali-
ton appeal, said its critics, who pointed
TO the definite programme of the Labor
party in contrast. It's weakness has
proved its strength Not even the defec-
ton of Lord Northclitfe could weaken
the support of the British people for
their war Premier.
But beyond these aspects Of the cleo
tons stand others not easily to be es-
capped. The conspicuous pacifsts of
Philip Snowden running as q Labor can
didate in Blackburn, and Mr.. Ramsay
Macdonald running as Labor candi-
date in West Leicester. MI Arthur
Henderson, himself the Labor leader,
those earlier support of the war came
under a cloud, mas also gone down to
defeat, not as Laborte but as radi-
cal. tainted with Bolshevsm, whose doc
trines now are rejected IS un-Tnglish.
The Labor party, as such, appears to
have increased its political strength in
spite OF him.
From these figures all the way up Mr..
Asquith. the returns are singularly uni
form The defeat Of Mr.. Asquith will
come as a shock to his many admirers in
America But looking backward through
the months it is not difficult to see the
handwriting on the wall. "Who is not
for US is against us Mr.. Lloyd George
made his stand clear for victory of
Justice, with reparation and sure bar
riers against another eruption of the
Hun Those Liberals like Mr. Asquth
who while protesting agreement to such
general demands revealed less stern
attitude toward Germany raised d clear
cat issue that the voters of England
could not ignore.
We think that from this point of view
the British election ran a close parallel
with our own In both there were mani
lOld causes Of confusion. IN both the
NAL ho 20 hot
could make the peoples will on the
fundamental issue clear. The British
vote is not against league of nations
any more than was the Republican sweep
n this country. it is, however, for
safety and justice tirst-and such ma
chinery of internatonalism thereafter as
the joint wisdom of the nations may
dsem practicable.
That is the mandate, we conceive. that
Mr.. lloyd George now bears to the peace
conference from the British nation. 1t
IS a message of idealism based upon
stern, practical commonsenso
1t is too soon to predict freely concern
lag The parties affected. No party won
theoretically no party lost. ct the dis
aSter that has overtaken the great LIB
eral party is ominous. Coupled with the
defeat Of the Liberal leader, Mr.. ASQulth
the collapse of the Liberal forces is not
less significant than the rise of the Labor
party. Bolshevism has been knocked or
The head The new Labor party, with 1t;
elaborate programme of reform. comes
INTO prominence. 1t as failed Of the l0(
seats which it hoped to gain. 1t has
tailed of achieving any considerable
power 1t may we'll, however, be TIKI
nucleus of new radicalism to rise OF
the wreck of the old.
Let US not overlook in America tina
'nls sweeping victory for stern justice
'or the practical as against the chlmerl
cal, for order and stanch nationalisn
against Bolshevism and pacitism and al
the brood of anarchy and confusion, wa
made possible by the votes of women
oWng TO the absence of men voters, tn
women were in the majority in many dis
9ficts. If ever women had their chanc
> disrupt ard overturn it was here
nat they have not done so, that to tn
contrary they have held England true t