Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-08
FOR FREE TRADE
Continued from Page one)

eral party and bringing to the Lib
eraI side the SURPRISING talents of
David Lloyd George in electioneering
and in the political game generally,
according to astute political obser-
vers.
The second circumstance was, say
these observers, the fact that the
Baldwin government during it's year
in office had no single legislative
achievement to it's credit to recon-
mend it to popular favor; and more
over it had shown much weakness in
it's foreign policy, SO much so that it
even had been asserted that the re-
cent concessions in the reparations
problem made by NJ. Poincare, the
French premier, had as their motive
a desire to influence the British cleo
lions and keep Mr.. Baldwin in power
because it was fear If the Liberal or
Labor party obtained the reins Poin-
care would find either Of these par
ties much harder to deal with.
The resentment felt by the Labor
party at Premier Baldwin's tactics
constitute the third circumstance.
Labor alleged that the +premier's tao
tics hod as their object the spring.
ing Of a quick succession Of elections
with the aim of exhausting the labor
party's attenuated election funds and
thereby giving advantage to the
weather. rivals of the party.
The fourth circumstance was the
women's vote, which is believed to
have been given with much greater
unanimity than ever before in a de-
termination to prevent at any cost
a possible rise in the price Of com
modities.
The history Of the circumstances
which led Mr.. Baldwin and his col
leagues Ito adopt the policy which
has proved a milestone around their
necks still remains somewhat of
mytery. 1t is believed. however, that
Mr.. Baldwin himself never oontem-
plated such hurried appeal to the
country. but was driven to it by the
extremists of his party. One curious
bit of speculation which has been
advanced in some quarters is that the
decision was made to forestall David
Lloyd George on the supposition that
Mr. Lloyd George during his tour in
America had been imbued with pro-
tectionist ideas.
Whatever the genesis Of the policy.
the fact remains that the government
has barely escaped complete defeat
a minority of about sixty against the
combined vote of the Liberal and
Lbor prties, insted of, in the last
parliament, with majority of sew
enty over all the other parties COM
bined The Conservatives still will
be the largest single party in the
house, but it is inconceivable that
they now can propose tariff bill.
even should they decide to meet the
house of commons as a government.
Mr.. Baldwin presumably will hold
a meeting of his cabinet before de-
Gliding on his next step.
The situation opens up the most per-
picking and extraordinary set of alter
ratives ever experienced in British
politics. which most likely will have to
be solved by another general election
in the near future. For the time be-
ing the British parliament is commit
ted to the group system which prevails
in European countries. and none of the
three political parties is likely to oh
tain a majority large enough to enable
it to form and carry on a stable gov
crnmcnt. Thus. as much as the British
people dislike coalitions. there seems
no other solution of the present situa-
ton in sight.
Mr.. Baldwin possibly may elect to
carry on his government by avoidance
of any controversial subject, in the
hope of securing support from some
portion of the Liberal members, but
the general impression is that he will
decide to throw down the reins of gov
crnment and hand over his difficult
task to the next strongest party, name
ly. the Laboritcs. a.
The belief prevails that the Labor
party will not be anxious to form a
government under the existing condi-
tionS in parliament. where it would
be likely at any moment to meet de-
feat at the hands of a combination of
the Conservatives and Liberals. for it
is well known that there is almost as
much antagonisnl between the Labor
ties and the Liberals is between the
Laborites and the Conservatives.
Among the possible alternatives of
he immediate future are:
First. A coalition between the Con-
servatives and Liberals. In some
quarters this is thought TO be possible
through the resignation of Mr.. Bald
win and the placing of the formation
of new Conservative government in
he hands of some statesman like the
Earl of Derby. secretary for war. who
favors free trade and might he sup
posed to be able to secure support from
the Liberals to prevent the advent Of
Labor government.
Second. A coalition between the
Liberals and the Laborites. This is
also supposed by some people a not
impossible development. 1t would he
conditional, however, on the willing
ness of the Liberal leaders to serve
under Labor premier and would
To- nF
some of the extreme planks in the
Iaborite platform, like capital
levy and the naturalization of in
| dustries. Though such a develop
ment is considered rather unlikely it
is thought it might, if II. II. Asquith,
Mr.. LLOYD George and other former
ministers were willing to take office
under J. Ramsay Macdonald the La
! Dor Leader, as premier, be preferred
by the Labor leaders to taking the
risk of another expensive general
election in the immediate future.
The present elections were under
taken by Labor with very sparse
funds. and their campaign was made
possible only through collections
taken up at campaign meetings and
small contributions from sympathiZ-
ers. Labor is mostly indebted to
trades unions contributions for its
election fund, but these nova days
are in no wise so large as they have
been in the past.
While it is impossible to predict
what course will be taken in the face
of these various possibilities, there
exists good precedcnt5 for Mr.. Bald
win still trying to carry on his gov
eminent. One thing, however. seems
certain: whatever government is next
in power it will endeavor to introduce
some measure of electoral reform, in
the shape of an alter native vote or
proportional representation to avoid
the cmpleXitieS of triangular con-