Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-16
MDONALD'S RISE
TOPSLONG BATTLE
New British Premier Has Had
Career Unprecedented in
English History.


of American than British flavor and
takes on added interest in this country
because OF his projected visit.
Unlike most of his predecessors in
the ONCE of prime minister, Ramsay
Macdonald was not bred for public lite.
His career, which proved after the
World War that both governments and
peoples have short memories, has no
precedent in British political history.
Born into poverty such as no pre-
nnier has ever known, Macdonald Is
what is known to America as SELF
made man." From obscnrity quarter
of q century ago he rose to be leader
of the Labor party, and through his
political sagacity and the fortunes Of
postwar circumstances he was mace
the head OF British government.
Now, after four years. he again Is pre-
nier of Great Britain and the greatest
political power in its far-reaehing
realms.
OF the many statesmen who rose 10
worldwide prominence In the firSt part
of the twentieth century, he stands
apart from the big figures who owe
their significance to the World War.
That conflict made him q political out
cast, and the name OF Macdonald dur
ing its four and half years progress
was anathema to patriotic Britishers
because of his bitter opposition To the
var and his failure to support the au-
thorities who were conducting 1t.
But five years after the armistice
Macdonald had ridden on the crest OF
. period OF discomfort inherited from
the war to the post of prime minister
ut the head of the first Labor govern
nnent III Great Britain. His elevation
with that OF his party was definite
step in the country's political develop
ment.
Has Overcome Many Obstacles.
Mr.. Macdonald like many a great
American statesman or President, was
born in q humble home, 'tWo-Toom
matched house in the little Scotch 1Sh-
ing village of Lossiemouth. He Is 81
years old now, but most of these years
have been marked by struggling to over
come the obstacles he faced, as a boy
OF IL, when he had to quit school and
earn his own way in the world.
He worked at humble tasks for little
pay. and in his few hours of leisure he
read books in the free libraries and
acquired the habit, OF thinking about
the conditions of the men and boys
with whom circumstances had forced
him One of the books that came into
his hands was Henry Georges Progress
and Poverty" Its pages planted within
him the seeds of dissatisfaction with the
economic and social system that sur
rounded him.. He had heard the call
of reform long before he reached his
maturity.
It was quite natural that Ramsay
Macdonald should enter upon the ca
reer Of politics, and in 1883 he was
hired as private secretary by Thomas
Tough, a radical candidate for Pariia-
mert. For four years Macdonald stayed
with Tough, meanwhile turning his
hand to Journalism as = contributor OF
radical POLITICAL articles.
Three years ago Mr. Macdonald paid
O visit to the United States. and while
in this country he passed through the
scenes of his honeymoon, SO years be-
fore. His marriage with Margaret
Ethel the daughter Of q well known
scientist, in November, 1896. brought
him the only romance and the greatest
happiness in b life that has been tinged
with the bitterness. Of 4 political strife
and early disappointfnents It was O
wedding trip that first took the Mac
Donalds to the United States, and 1t
was 9 hostess in this country who gave
such perfect courtesy to Mr.. Macdonald
and his bride that he has never for
gotten 1t. &
Love story Is Romantic,
Mr.. MacDonald's love story is as ro-
mantle as his rise to political power.
It was during his first parliamentary
battle in Southampton in 1895 that he
received contribution to his campaign
fund from a stranger, who signed an
accompanying letter m. Z. Gladstone. "
Soon the young candidate learned that
M. E." stood for Margaret Ethel, a
niece of the famous Lord Delvin. A
swift courtship followed.
Mrs. Macdonald plunged into the
Labor movement and became q noted
hostess and social worker She trav-
eled up and down the country with her
husband, always In the closest COM
partnership with his hopes and ideals.
They visited the United States, Canada
and other countries on their wedding
trip.
After Is years of companionship Mrs.
Macdonald died victim OF blood pois-
oning. The future prime minister, with
five children gathered around him.
penned a memoir which Is q heart
searching tribute to the woman he
loved
ITO turn TO her in stress and storm
was like going into a sheltered haven
and smiling up at the face of heaven,
he wrote. Weary and worn, buf1eted
and discouraged, I would flee to her,
and my lady would kneel and soothe
me with her CHEEKY faith and steady
conviction and send me forth to. Spite
and be sn1itten."
One OF the finest groups of statuary
tn London is a memorial to Mrs. Mac
Donald as a woman and social worker.
It stands in Lincoln Inn Fields, in the
heart of London. Its feature is q row
OF laughing children at play.
Macdonald had many occasions, as
Ne has said, to turn to his sympathetic
wife for comfort and encouragement.
He was opposed to the South African
wars and in the 1900 election his second
stand for Parliament met as bad a re-
buff as the first He had more money
in those days than in later years. so
he resumed his travels. 1t took Mac
Donald IL years to get into Parliament.
The constituents of Leicester elected
him in 1905. In 1871 he was made
leader of the two score men who made
UP the Parliamentary Labor party In
side the House of Commons. At the
same time he was chairman OF the In
dependent Labor party. Within a few
months death deprived him OF his son
David, his mother, and. finally, his
wife, and he was left with the care Of
I'VE cvhildren, two boys and three girls
Politically, Macdonald realized that