Evening journal., 1919-08-21
BRITISH SEARCH
FOR new LEADER
{ Coalition Cabinet Serves
its Purpose. Who Will
Lead Nation Through
LLOYD GEORGE
STANDS ALONE

The war has proved a 'meitlng-poi
10 many world institutions, but no
Nhere has its effect been more marked
than in British politics America and
the rest OF the world would do well to
watch closely the rapidly changing as
poets Of the situation, for all the old
parties are being made over, many
favorite policies are being scrapped,
and many Of the old leaders iettisoned
having failed to test true in the IRE Of
war and reconstruction.
British politicians and the voters are
now searching for three things:
\ man-Wanted by the old parties as
a leader.
4 party-Wanted by several self
styled "men."
4 pOlicy-Wanted by the parties, the
would-be men, and the general public.
And here is where the rest OF the
world becomes interested, for IL is an
On-lOOker.
The number OF possible candidates
for the first job is remarkably small.
The average citizen would tell you,
most likely. that there is only one
David Lloyd George, the 'little Welsh
wizard who received such an extra
ordinary national welcome on his re-
turn from the conference table at
Paris. But Lloyd George would be the
first to admit that he is no stranger
10 the other side Of political fame, and
for some years before the war he was
probably the most bitterly cursed man
i'm England. Nineteen years ago he had
a.. e. D, f~ Hfuf in
liceman's uniform, 10 escape a "patri-
otic" mob who resented his champion
ship Of the BOer farmers with whom
Great Britain was then at war.
Lloyd George is the one outstanding
character in British political life today,
and by sheer hard work. flashes Of in
tuitye genius and personal magnetism
ne has lined up practically the whole
country behind him.
But what he needs Is a party For
merly leader Of the radical wing OF
the Liberal party, he automatically
succeeded n. II. Asduith In the party
favor. when the latter was compelled
90 resign the premiership. and the
coalition government was formed by
Lloyd George in 1915. The coalition has
served its purpose and like most such
temporary expedients shows signs OF
early disruption Who is Lloyd George
eolng 10 lead then? is the question
lEitating politicians.
The OH Liberal and Conservative
parties have suffered too many cas-
ualties. 10 be able to set up in Dusi-
ness again. The Conservatives have
their own little "tin gods" and viii not
adopt Lloyd George. What the maipr
itv OF the old liberals will do Is a
puzzle. Although no longer IN Par
lament he was overwhelm in The
election Just before Christmasl Herbert
II Asdulth Is still the leader. OF a
bunch Of Liberals. who now politically
unimportant are contemptuousiy STYLED
the Wee Frees" Asquith Is a dead
letter. but he can stu rob Lloyd
George Of some supporters.
The Conservatives are nominally !
united under Andrew Bonar Law, but !
Law apparently does not aspire to he
the man the country is advertising for |
lie was only a stop-gap alternative !
when elected TO succeed Arthur James !
Balfour in the party leadership in 1911 |
"A buffer between the irrecencjlable |
factions roofing for Austen, Chamber |
lain and Walter Hume Long RESPECTIVE !
lv. lie has proved himself capable |
and conscientious statesman. but he |
lacks personal magnetism indispensable |
for great party leader. The remaipd- !
sr OF The Conservative leaders may be |
eliminated from the contest. Chamber |
lain and Long being relegated TO the |
shave beens" and Balfour desirous OF
retiring from political life on account
Of his great age.
The only two serious rivals TO Lloyd
George in the personality contest are
Winston :. Churchill, at present war |
secretary. and Robtr Smile miners
leader and uncrowned king OF BRUSH |
labor. Both have the magnetic gift |
and both will go far, according TO the
prophets and close observers. II ne |
had never taken over. the War Ohce |
in the coalition government, Churchill
might have successfully challenged /
Ilovd George for the leadership OF the |
combined Liberal and Labor parties
but his handling Of rehabilitation ana
the Russian expedition has aroused
hitter resentment among Aborites ana
section OF the Liberal party. mat
-burchiu Will be Premier or England
.ome dsv Is certain. declare most eX-
merits. but he will probably have TO lie
low for bit.
SmiIlie is the dark horse He is not
new man. but his parliamentary |
,areer has been brief and obscure, Tor
bo has generally been defeated IN
tvnical Scotch labor constituencies by
bis own countrymen. who nevertheless
cave him full power to bargain Tor
,hon, industrially. Since he has been
nresident OF the Miners Federation OF
Great Britain. he has been easily the
outstanding figure in the labor world
The favorites then. for Prime Minis
Ter arc. David Lloyd George, winston
Churchill and Robert Smillie. IL might
he said that Smillies party is obvious
and ready made-the Labor Party nut
mat is not so. for he had had cur
ious sequence Of parliamentary de-
feats. ,,,.,..
For LLOYD George and Churchill there
5 a billet on offer A new orgahl1a-
lion. the Center Party has arisen a
combination Of progressive Liberals
and Conservatives, and Lloyd george
and Churchill would appear to ne tle
natural leaders. Overtures have oeen
made. but although IL is said that
Churchill is willing, Lloyd George mas
nothing TO say" Doubtless they are
sizing up the situation and Weighing
their prospects Of success.