The New York herald., 1922-12-03

ID have short memories. The
Right Honorable j. Ramsay
Macdonald has been chosen as
the Opposition leader OF the House Of
Commons, place of great power and
the natural stepping stone to the Pre-
miership. Yet, it is only q few short
years since ne was anathema to pa
triotic Englishmen because of his Bit
ter opposition to the war and his fall
ure to support the authorities who
were conducting it. He was the Eu-
gene V. Debs of England, with this
difference--Debs was not member of
the legislative branch of our Govern
nent and as such swore to uphold it.
There IS no gainsaying the fact that
Mr.. Macdonald failed 10 support the
Government in the prosecution of the
war; more than that. he actually op-
posed 1t. At the outbreak of the war
he said in q speech in Parliament:
When Sir Edward Grey failed to Sc
cure peace between Germany and
Russia he worked deliberately to in
volve us in war. using Belgium as his
chief excuse" This statement tended
to weaken the power and hold of the
Government on the people. Fighting
for your country when she is attacked
and helping her carry on an unneces-
sary and nefarious war of conquest
are different matters. The first weuld
arouse every spark OF fighting man
hood in your breast. The second would
cause you to turn away in disgust.
Not only did he attempt to weaken
the morale. but he concretely tried to
persuade the people not to enlist.
When recruiting began the 1ndepend-
ent Labor party. Of which he was the
leader, passed the following resolu
ton:
Resolved, That all members of the
Independent Labor party be requested
not to support the Government in its
recruiting campaign"
Personally in q burst of oratcry on
this subject he said: Never did we
arm our people or ask them to give
up their lives for less good cause than
this"
lie was hailed as a second Daniel
by the Germans when he said that
war is not being primarily waged
for the destruction Of the armed
forces of Germany. /. but for the
destruction OF the existing social sys-
tenn lie further said: WAR could
not be justified. even from a military
standpoint, beyond that point at which
the democratic forces of England are
ready to take things in their own
hands and thus place world peace on
a firm foundation" TIe also attempted
10 stir up industrial strife, thus
Gripping Ensland's military power.
Where will we find the key to the
change in public sentiment concern
ing him, unless it be a large and grow
ing belief in the doctrines which he
breaches and to less extent, to the
character OF the man. his apparent
honesty and the lovableness of his
personality. His political views may
be summed up by a quotation from
his writings:
I'VE are helping ourselves and are
evolving q state of society under
which the industrial idea OF coopera-
ton and the political idea Of repre-
sentative government can be blended
and used for both political and in
dustrial purposes.
In other words. he would have a
politically brought about socialistic
state.
Doubtless, you have noticed the
large number of quotations from Mac
donald used in this article. The reason
for this is. Mr.. Macdonald is addicted
10 the habit of disputing the accuracy
or any writer who essays TO interpret
his views. Therefore, ] have adopted
Priscilla's idea of requesting him TO
speak for himself. Using direct qdota-
tons from him to establish his atti-
tude and record on all points under
discussion.