Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-24
BY FRANK H. SIMONDS.

ONDON: England In revolution This
Is what the press would have you be-
heve. the British press of the present
moment. In London especially. The
labor government newly come to power is
just making its initial bow to parliament. al
ready having manufactured three brand-new
peers to double labor's representation In the
house Of lords. Precedent, tradition every
thing seems tumbling down in fashion which
could only happen in a revolutionary country
and-this Is the odd circumstance-it Is hap
pening in England as II could never happen
elsewhere, for, at bottom, about the British
revolution there Is not the smell Of revolution
In the ordinary The red flag does not
fly on buckingham Palace anywhere else,
Ramsay Macdonald bids fair to be the most
constitutional Of premiers. Just as the Brit
tsh revolution promises to be the most con-
stitutionel of revolutions.
Yet It is a revolution, stirring the very
depths national life national feeling.
The arrival Of the labor governm mt for the
first time is as significant fact in English
history as fascism in Italy even remoter
bolshevism in Russia. 1t would De a mistake
to say labor had captured Britain. 1t hasn't.
In voting strength at the last election 1t
amounted to hardly 4 quarter. In the new
house Of commons 1t Is less than one-third,
yet just Britain long ago had a limited
monarchy. 1t has resolved now for the moment
to have a limited revolution.
Labor Dependent on Liberals.
Note, then, how Enthusiastically British
has been the fashion in which decisions have
been registered. The tory party has beaten,
Overwhelmingly beaten, the liberal party
passed by a little contemptuousiy, yet the
labor opposition constitutionally bound to be
invited to form a government. finds itself in
the minority. able to do nothing which Is not,
SO to speak. countersigned by the liberals; for
without liberal votes labor cannot remain in
Office.
Then it Is revolution in straightjacket on
good behavior. allowance. Yet once
more illogical British common appears.
Although labor is in the minority. II cannot
frivolously wantonly be thrown out of
office. 1t will not do for the tories and certain
liberals. striking hands secretly to dust the
labor government, because the element of fair
play enters here. The will Of the majority
plainly spoken. is that labor shall have a fair
chance. The square deal Col. Roosevelt used
to talk about. Let labor what 1t can do
about it. Under all circumstances let It, with
in limits and reason, have a chance without
interference.
You must the key Is all there, that this
revolution is essentially British. 1t borrows
nothing Of Russia. Lenin Is not spiritually or
in doctrine the master OF Ramsay Macdonald
England, Britain rather. inarticulately has de-
manded new deal, but. there must still be
Afty-two cards. They must still be cut and
dealt in accordance with usage To illustrate
with figure. there must be no Joker" By
contrast old players with their old tricks must,
play fair. too. f'.:s ?. =,
What Does Revolution Meant
Now, with such qualifications, what does
the British revolution mean? In q sense, nc
one knows. 1t is too new, too unexpected,
even to those who expected 1t eventually, to