The sun., 1919-09-28

tlnouS rule in this respect, The son
of wealthy manufacturer may live
extravagantly, but never a prince.
The King and Queen set high ex-
ample to the people, They live quiet
ly, and while there are rich and vulgar
people in England, as in other coun-
tries. the doors of the court are closed
to them. This has a great influence in
restraining ostentation.
The big man in Britain is the Prime
Minister, though he has nothing like
the power invested in the President Of
the United States. The President is
the choice Of the electors for a period
Of four years, and IL he makes good"
he is chosen for another four years.
He may be a man of whom the public
knew very little before his name was
brought forward as Presidential can
didate. He will invariably be a man
of '1igi character, but hfs whole Ca
reer may have been professional, and,
great though his personal abilities, he
may have very little experience in the
work of legislation, administration and
diplomacy. He gives his services to
his country for, say, n period Of eight
years, and then, at the very time he
may have become master of his busl-
ness. he has to step down and his SER
vices are no further utilized by the
State except in a private capacity.
Serves Long Apprenticeship.
A British Prime Minister Is never
selected because he is the nominee Of
great political party. Originally he
has to enter Parliament as a humble
member. like Lloyd George, for
instance. He has to serve q long APP
premiership in the House of Com
mons. If he proves his qualities he
may be invited to accept an Under
Secretaryship. If he makes good he
may become a Secretary of State But
he can only advance with the force Of
long ard continuous public approval
behind him. Birth courts for little.
The present Marquis of Salisbury, son
of former Prime Minister, counts
for nothing in British politics. But his
younger brother, Lord Robert Cecil,
counts for great deal. Their cousin,
Mr.. Balfour, an aristocrat in BIRTH
plays great part. Mr.. Lloyd George.
the son of poor parents. who has had
to make his own way in the world,
counts for most.
By force of personality a man gains
position in British politics. If by that
agency he becomes the leader of 4
political party and that party has a
majority then the King sends for him
and appoints him Prime Minister
The King does not choose; he names
the obvious choice of the people. So
the chief of the British Executive
only reaches his position, after long
and arduous training. He knows about
Government and administration. His
party may be defeated, but he does
not often retire. He remains a member
of Parliament, probably the leader Of
the Opposition. Anyway, he can serve
his country in Parliament twenty,
thirty, even forty years. Britain does
not depose its best administrators in
their prime.
Where Congress Lacks Power.
The President of the United States
chooses his Government from outside
Congress. His choice may be good or
1t may be cad. but it is purely per-
sona1. AS he has The selection, so
with him lies the power of dismissal
Sometimes a man never heard Of by
the public becomes q Secretary Of
State in America. II he Is a failure
Congress has practically no power 10
get rid OF him
Such a proceeding Is scarcely pos
sible in the British Parliament
Though the choice of his Cabinet rests
In the end with the Prime Minister,
the public know that men in the Min
istry have served in other Parlia-
mentary capacities. A Cabinet Min
lister, just like an ordinary member OF
Parliament, has to be elected 10 the
House of Commons. 1t is true that
during the war Lloyd George called
men to his aid like Sir Eric Geddes,
Sir A. Stanley, Mr.. Fisher and others
who had no Parliamentary experience,
but they had experience in special ad-
ministration, and they had TO be
elected to Parliament before he could
make use of them,
Mr.. Wilson, when he finds antaEon-
ism to him in the Senate, can invite
Senator's to the White House TO talk
things over. Lloyd George must meet
his critics face to face on the floor OK
the House of Commons. Ministers must
be in daily attendance in Parliament
There is a period at every sitting each
day when any private member can ask
any Minister any question concerning
his department. Should there be
postmaster-Rene or any other mem
Der Of the Government open to criu-
cism he must meet his critics in pub
lie debate. II a motion that HIS sal
airy be reduced-the technical method
OF attacking a Minister'S carried he
must retire.
The Opposition may bring forward a
no confidence" resolution, and then
the Prime Minister and his Govern
ment have to night for their lives, II
that resolution is carried the Govern
ment must resign and the people -
Great Britain get an opportunity 10
elect new House OF Commons. Tho
life" OF a Parliament is Ave years
that is, there must be a general cleo
ton at least every FIVE years--but II
Government cannot hold Us own be
fore tho elected representatives Il car
be thrown out in six months
The plan in the United States IS
very different. No matter how popu-
lar will changes the complexion OF
Congress the Government can remain
the same. America can have a Demo
cratic President and Govern n
while both Houses OF Congress are
Republican in Majority proceeding
Continued on Hlrth PaOa