The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-29
PENDING BRITISH ELECTION.


 of elections, but the British people have elections thrust upon them. More than a hundred and twenty years ago the peo- pie of the United States knew, if they took the trouble to count it up, that there would be presidential election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1924. But the British never know from one month to another where their next election is coming from, nor when. They may earnestly long for an election year in and year out, and not get it. Or they may suddenly face an election when they least desire it. The Society for the Promotion of Interna- tional Politics ought to do something about it.
 To all the world it looked as if Pre- mier Macdonald, head of Britain's first labor government, was doing pretty well. He seemed to know what he was about, and to be carrying it through directly to a foreseen consummation. Doubtless in that he has violated British tradition. The British boast of "muddling through" and MT. Macdonald has been going through with his eyes open. That might be all very we'll in the colonies, but in England it simply isn't done. Conse- quently observant American correspond ents in London tell us that soon there will be resignation of the Labor min iskrv opJ fhau.on aloot;or
 It seems that MT. Macdonald is be- tween two fires. In front of him is the conservative element seeking to hinder his too rapid inauguration of Labor poli- cies, and behind him is the Labor party urging him onward to renewed speed. He is going too fast for the one and not fast enough for the other. On the whole, it appears that MT. Macdonald has wisely chosen to do what he could and to re- frain from too seriously offending the less radical elements in British citizen ship and politics. If Labor were in the majority, then Labor could go ahead with it's program regardless of opposition.
 But Labor is not in the majority. La- bor holds the leadership, not through numbers, but through the support of the Liberals and the moderate Conservatives. Another coalition between these two par ties would be too strong for Labor to re- sist. Already there are signs of a split in the Liberal support, with Lloyd George heading the movement away from Mac Donald. The former premier is known all over the world as one of it's shfewdest politicians. There is evidence of his re- viving influence among those who for a time forsook his standard. He may or may not aspire again to the premiership. But it is certain that he aspires again to a position of ofdominant leadership. He may prefer to be a premier-maker rather than a premier; but influential he ex- poets to be to the extent of his redoubt- able ability.
 The world regrets to see the approach of the predicted dowpfall of the Mac Donald authority, for the world knows that Macdonald succeeded where Lloyd George and his successors failed, name ly, in composing after-war differences and bringing about a European agree ment as to separations and national credits. MT. Macdonald did not evolve the plan of the experts, but he was more influential than any other premier in smoothing out the conference disagree ments, in bringing the Germans into the conference, and in causing subsistence of the nco-German diplomatic hostili- ty. The world, being greatly concerned over previous failures, gives MT. Mac Donald cordial credit for this success.
 The British people finding out many of the reforms promised them by the Labor regime are not forthcoming, are disappointed. They blame the La Dor ministry for their disappointment. They plan to do what people always plan to do when things do not go to suit them. They will bring low their rulers and ele- vate others to the seats of authority. It makes no difference what excuse or what valid defense the ministry may bring to public attention, the people cannot forget their disappointments so readily. They will have change. Perhaps, after a few months of equally resultless ad- ministration on the part of somebody else, they will recall MT. Macdonald. Such things have happened.
 GREAT GUNS AND FALSE TEETH.
 Reports come from Germany that the