Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-01
FOREIGN

Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin's
British government grew steadiiy
weaker through the first part of the
wear because of unemployment, houS-
ing, pensions, taxes and dozen other
domestic problems which 1t could not
meet to the satisfaction Of the nation.
David Lloyd George put the, reluve.
mated Liberal party in the lmelgnt
with ample promises, and the LABOR
ties looked forward to the general cleo
lions of MAY 80 with a confidence that
was fairly justified. When the ballots
were counted it was found that the
Conservatives had been badly defeated,
so Baldwin and his cabinet resigned.
No one party had secured clear ma
jority in the House of Commons. but
the Laborites were strongest. There
fore Ramsay Macdonald was given the
post of prime minister and proceeded
to form q new government. The port
folio of minister of labor was given 10
Miss Margaret Bondfield, the flrSt
woman to enter a British cabinet. She
was one of IA women elected to Parlla-
ment. Arthur Henderson was put at
the head of the foreign office.
Liberals Hold Balance Of Power.
The Liberals had elected SO men,
bers and held the balance OF power
They virtually agreed to support the
Labor government so long as the
socialistic; and 1t was freely predicted
that Mr.. MacDonald's chief troubles
would come from the radical members
Of his party. His plans for the AL
deviation Of unemployment were almost
upset in July when the great cotton in
dustry was tied up by a strike that
involved 500,000 operatives and closed
300 mills in the Lancashire area. The
prime minister took an active personal
part in the settlement Of this trouble.
He also made progress toward ending
the old disputes between the coal mine
operators and their employees.
One of the governments decisions
that met with general approval was to
resume full diplomatic relations with
Soviet Russia. This seemed reason
able. since trade relations between the
two nations had existed for some time.
The Labor cabinet was equally sue
policies.
King George gradually recovered
from the serious fitness that overlook
him in the Autumn of 1928, and finally
resumed his royal duties, to the great
ioy of his affectionate people. The
Prince of Wales disposed OF his sta
Bile of hunters and settled down to a
more active participation in public
affairs, but still gave no signs OF nten-
ton to take a bride.
France Reasonably Prosperous.
France had a fairly prosperous year,
her people fattening on big crops.
reparations and American tourists and
amusing themselves as always with the
game Of politics. Premier Poincare
continued in Office, despite Ill health
until he had secured the ratification
of the war debt agreements with the
! United States and Great Britain. This
action was taken by the Parliament or
July 26, and NJ. Poincare, who had sc
| long and so well served his country
Immediately resigned. Aristide BRAND
veteran cabinet member, wasS mad'
premier, and as the radical Socialist
refused to participate, he made M
changes in the ministers. Under hi
rule repressive measures against thu
Communists we're continued with vigor
and their meetings of protest wer'
broken up by the police. Through thu