New-York tribune., 1920-09-12
Britain Expects
Lloyd George
To Avert Strike
His Ability to Compromise
Expected to Provide Way
to Settle Coal Miners
Naturalization Demand
Trades Union Anti.Red
Irish-MacSwiney Problem Is
Hardest Premier Faces
ON His Return to London
By Arthur s. Draper

BY Arthur ,. Draper
From The TrsbMne's Esropean Bureou
Copyright 1890. New York Tribune Inc,
LONDON, Sept. 1l.-Coincident with
the return Of Premier Lloyd George
from his vacation in Switzerland a
noticeable improvement in the general
situation in Great Britain is apparent.
That Lloyd George is q one-man gov
ernment is fact always strikingly il
Illustrated when he is absent from
Downing Street for more than @ week.
He is not only the captain Of the team,
but every play revolves around him.
The industrial situation is decidedly
easier, though the critical stage is not
yet passed. The coal miners are not
likely to strike, for now that the gov
erpnent has shown 8 willingness to
meet them half way the whole weight
of public opinion is on the side OF the
government. Lloyd Georges strength
Is his ability to compromise. The Pre-
mier has handled all of the many
invariably he has always reached set
tlement through compromise. The
miners are still demanding natonaliza-
Eion, but it is unlikely that they will
get this concession this year.
Labor Opposes Bolshevism
All through the week the Trades
Union Congress, representing 6,500,000
British workers, has been in session
at Portsmouth, and any one who may
expect that body to declare for Boil
shevism and soviet system of govern
ment for England will be greatly dis
appointed. 1t was the labor leaders,
meeting at Portsmouth, who argued
Smillie into accepting the governments
the miners demands. Though one
delegate suggested national strike as
a protest against the treatment Of the
Lord Mayor Of Cork, he was quickly
suppressed, despite the fact that the
organization registered its dissatisfac-
tion with the governments policy in
Ireland and appealed to the Premier
to release MacSwiney.
Most farsighted British labor lead
ers follow policy not unlike the Sim
Fein chieftain. They know it would be
fatal to the attainment Of their ulti-
mate objective to face the government
in finish fight. Labor would not strike
to save MacSwiney, but as soon as the
Premier returned it was evident that
he appreciated the feeling in this and
other countries that he was taking
charge Of Irish affairs. From Downing
Street come temperate explanations
stead of ciumsily worded statements
which served only those who, though
having little sympathy for the Sim
Fein, still opposed a system under
which an untried political prisoner
could starve himself to death. Every
possible way short Of a complete re-
treat Of the Premier was tried as 3
remedy in what Asquith decided as "a
political blunder Of the first magni-
&ude."
Feeling Toward ireland Changes
1t is true that the Irish situation
has improved little, but it might have
manned away longer. A year ago
in the Commons, when the govern
ment's policy in Ireland was criticized
it was the custom to meet such criti-
cism with silence regarding whether it
was the governments purpose to grant
independence. To-day there is con-
stantiy growing body of Englishmen
who would willingly grant independ-
ence for Ireland SO long ss Great Brit
ain is not weakened militarily. The
dominion home rule idea Is supported
not only by labor but by large num-
Der Of Liberals and few Conserva-
tives. This is a fact which Lloyd
George would admit. and though he may
be unable to escape the responsibility
for the MacSwiney political blunder''
there is an indication he will counter
act its effect by showing moderation in
other directions.
Lord Birkenhead, Bonar Law and
Sir Edward Carson are powers and
among the intimates Of the Premier,
but they do not always see eye for eye
with their chief on the question of
Irish policy. Their only interest is in
Ulster. while the Premier is responsi-
BILE for the whole of Ireland and the
effect of developments here in the in
ternational situation.
II Lloyd George elects to negotiate
with the Sim Feiners he will have 9
strong body Of supporters here. On the
other hand, the Ulster trio will be
thrown on the offensive.
Foreign Relations Improve
There is an improvement in the do
fnestic outlook, accompanied by a more
optimistic turn in international af-
fairs. Anglo-French relations are bet
ter and at che same time Lloyd George
and Gioiitti have reached an under
standing which is bound to bring about
closer union between Great Britain
and Italy. If the Poles and Bolsheviki
reach an agreement at Riga the Brit
ish government will Immediately re
sumo negotiations for the opening Q.
trade relations with Russia. British
officials refuse. to admit that the Polish
military successes offer any hope for
decisive defeat Of the Bolsheviki
and the overthrow Of the Soviet gov
ernment. II Lenine is beaten it will
De by the Russians themselves, in the
opinion of the British.
The only feature Of the American
political campaign which is exciting
any interest in Europe is that parf
bearing on the League of Nations
The English have been told that both
Harding and Cox favor Americas entry
into the league, the only difference
being the Interpretation Of the degree
Of responsibility. Europeans frankly
confess that the league is practicable
fmpotent unless backed by American
material and moral power. Even the
debate over the league is arousinp
little interest. but that is largely due
10 the fact that most Of the European
countries are engrossed over domestic
problems.
French Salvation ARMY Extends