The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-27
PRESS ON STANLEY BALDWIN

| PRESS ON STANLEY BALDWIN
Stanley Baldwin, newest prime min
lister of England, first came to Amer
lean notice as the head of the British
debt-funding commission. The sue
cess of those negotiations show that
he has some of the attributes of a
diplomat, for, in spite of sharp differ
ences of opinion in the beginning, he
not only was able to reach an agree
ment with this government, but actu-
ally won certain points not originally
conceded by our government AS
chancellor of the British exchequer
he has served SO ably as to have been
one of the very first likely candidates
to be mentioned as successor to Bonar
Law. Americans understand British
politics so little as not to comprehend
the forces which are there in conflict,
but there is evident a general turning
away from the peerage for national
leaders, one of the chief reasons for
the choice of Baldwin instead O. Lord
Curzon, who seemed to Americans the
more logical aspirant to the premier
ship.
AS indicating the British change in
sentiment the st. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat thus speaks of the two rivals,
Curzon and Baldwin: zone was man
with title of nobility and the other
was without one, and the man without
| ho bod
title The time is not SO far distant
in England when the man with the
title of nobility would have won
under identical conditions-would
have won because he had the title"
This is attributed to the growing
strength of the Labor party which is
opposed to the aristocracy, for "a
laborite premier has been predicted
ever since the armistice. After disap-
pointing performance that party wins
its most noteworthy victory to date in
debating through force of circum-
stances the choice of premier of an
other party" concludes the Globe
Democrat.
No great optimism over the choice
is expressed by the Nashville Banner,
which, while paying tribute to the
ability of the new premier, adds: ut
will not be entirely unexpected if Mr..
Baldwin's tenure of office is brief. Po-
litical matters are in ferment in
England, and he will be bitterly op-
posed by more than one element. &.
Frances whole attitude is a menace
to world peace and England is vitality
concerned. The Near East question
still remains to plague the British
government. The Russian pot of
trouble is boiling violently. There is
no question but that the final DISPOSE
ton of the oil areas of the world will
call for definite action and will be
displeasing to somebody. The new
premier said to newspaper man i'm
mediately after his appointment, i
need your prayers more than your con-
gratulations,' and he appears to have
it right"
"Whoever was responsible for the
selection of Chancellor Baldwin as
British prime minister has displayed
commendable WISDOM" remarks the
Cleveland Plain Dealer, which sees in
the appointment the probable contin-
uation Of the Tory ascendancy. The
naming of Curzon or any other less
popular statesman would have seri-
ously menaced Conservative control
with the possibility or probability of
Lloyd Georges return to power.
Either a Lloyd George ministry or
Laborite ministry is almost inevitable
in the event of the collapse of the
Baldwin government, and it is not con-
ceivable that either could be beneficial
to Great Britain at this critical
time"
In the view of the Louisville Herald
thee hange is not an abrupt one: Gone
good, sturdy, honest, workmanlike
public servant takes over the duties of
another. Another leader, and more
resourceful one, will face opposition
in the commons and the government of
the country will go on as usual, not
to the shaping of any new or upset
ting policy, but in that easy, undra-
matte, hand-to-mouth manner which is
the British way. There will be few
pledges given and, therefore, few to
be broken. Abroad the chancellories
will be assured of continuity and at
home the gradual, but steady, develop
ment along truly democratic lines will
persist" The Herald believes that the
country which makes the least history
is the happiest, and that England
means to make as little history just
now as possible.
The Columbia, South Carolina, State