Evening star., 1924-06-01
MACDONALD IN OFFICE
BY OPPONENTS SPLIT.
Aid of Liberals Saves Government
When Conservatives Plan
Censure Vote.
EUROPEAN SKIES CLEARING
Fall Of Poincare and Dawes Plan
Bring Agreement Near.
BY A. G. GARDINER.

By Radio to The Star.
LONDON, May 31.-This has been
week of alarums and excursions, So
cial gayeties and political crises.
The visit of theNKing and Queen of
Italy has been the most popular re-
vival Of royal ceremonies since 1914,
and the city, held up by royal pro-
cessions on the way to the Mansion
House. looked like old times The
event synchronized with the settle
ment of the Jubal land affair, in re-
gard to which Prime Minister Mac
Donald has wisely taken generous
line in view of the national sensitive
ness Of Italy and the Importance in
the present circumstances of retain
ing her good will with reference to
the great issues at stake in Europe.
Government Menaced.
Meanwhile the Labor government
has been trembling on the brink of
disaster. All week the political
world has been humming with eX-
pectation of MacDonald's defeat La
Dor claimed to have complete cure
for England's troubles. but has done
little or nothing toward redeeming
its promises. The Conservatives
moved what was practically a vote Of
censure, which, if carried, would have
meant the fall of the government.
All turned on the attitude of the
Liberals. A large element of the
party is very dissatisfied with Labor,
and angry at what they regard as
the ungrateful and unfriendly dispo-
sition of Mr.. Macdonald toward them.
Their votes keep him in power. but,
in the constituencies. his party is en-
gagged in carrying on ruthless war
against the existence of the Liberals.
Conservatives Beaten.
Lloyd George and Macdonald now
are bitter opponents. Mr.. Lloyd
George was in favor of the Liberals
| leaving the government to be de-
Herbert II. Asquith took contrary
view. The latter agreed that labor
| had done nothing to redeem its
| pledges, but he preferred to give
| them more time and he regarded a
! political crisis at this moment unde-
| sirable in view of the delicate situa-
| tion in European affairs
| Mr. ASquith carried rs per cent of
| the party with him. with the result
| that the Conservative attack was
beaten by majority of forty-eight.
Lloyd George abstained from voting.
How long this situation will con-
tinue it is difficult to forecast The
chief strength of Mr.. Macdonald con-
sists in the fact that neither the
Conservatives nor the Liberals want
writer does not think the Conserya-
tiveS would have pressed the vote of
censure if they had not been satisfied
the Liberals would support the gov
ernment. 1t is queer triangular
drama by which Macdonald walks
the tight rope balanced by the enmty
of Liberals and Conservatives. The
day that the Liberals and the Con-
servatives pull one way Macdonald
comes down.
Macdonald is notoriously anxious
to keep office to reap the fruits of
the more hopeful European outlook.
He had had great good fortune in that
respect. The political sky has cleared
much since he came into office and
European nations look more like
getting together again than at any
time since 1914 Prospects for the
Dawes scheme going through seem
favorable and the remarkable change
in France as the result of the over
throw of NJ. Poincare has created a
strong feeling of optimism here.
This more hopeful position Is not
| due, of course. wholly to Macdonald,
| but it is agreed that he has handled
the European situation tactfully- and
| IL he can see the matter through
successfully it will be a great feather
| in the cap of the Labor party in re-
gard to the management of interna-
| tional affairs.
| Copyright, 1921