The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-09-03
A Patriotic Coalition.
(New York Times.)

Three British parties have got together in orde'
 to meet a British crisis. This is the true expana-
 ton of the National Government which Ramsay Macdonald, after presenting the resignation of the Labor Ministry, undertook yesterday to form. It
 may be called a Government ad hoe It has a
 single definite object It will probably have a limited term of office. Created solely to deal with the need of balancing the budget, by means of l rigid economy and tapping sources of revenue, | it will drop everything else. No change in British foreign policy which has in general been satisfac tory under the Labor Government need be ex- pected What shall is the extraordinary spectacle of former Conservative Prime Minister taking service under a Labor Prime Minister, along with Liberal colleagues in the Cabinet all for the purpose of doing patriotic duty. Thus there will be occasion to recall at this time the dctum of Lord Rosebery that eX-Prme Minister who is appointed ordinary member of a Cabinet is very apt to prove "a dangerous and fleeting
 luxury" Doubtless MT. Lloyd George himself, if he had been in good health, would have been asked to join the Government along with MT. Bald win
 All the reporters who haunted Downing Street and Buckingham Palace noted the deep emotion, amounting to chagrin and dejection. with which MT Macdonald set about his appointed task His depression of spirit was more than frustrated per sonal ambition He was not thinking of himself as unsuccessful leader much of the harm done to the and the party with which his name had so long been significantly identified It must have been a cruel blow to him when nearly half of the Labor members of the House of Commons refused to accept the policy of re- trenchment which he had decided to be absolutely necessary. That split in the Labor Party-and in his Cabinet-forced him to advise the King that he could not carry on the Government But urgent did he believe the need of action along the lines favored by him that he willing to accept the temporary position of head of a Government made up partly of his political opponents. This must have been bitter cup pressed to the lips of Ramsay Macdonald. but in a fine spirit of patri- otic service he did not put it away from him Equal praise must be given to the Conservative and Lib eral leaders who willing to subordinate them selves in the face of national emergency
 There be doubt that what is neces- sary will be done Parliament be summoned back a weeks notice. By that time the bills that are needed to put the policy into effect be drafted and ready for submission to the House of Commons. They will be subject, naturally, to various forms of attack Some opnion-proud Con- servatves will have a grievance because high protective tariff is not at recommended. The dissidents in the Labor Party perhaps led by MT. Henderson himself will fercely object to gov- ernmental savings which call upon the working classes to bear their part of the requisite sacrifice. But with the bulk of all three parties putting their shoulders to the wheel, the political wagon will be certain to go forward
 Prime Minister Macdonald will ask for tears, even if he deserves sympathy. In way, he is pathetic figure, In another he appears public servant proudly willing to sink himself in com mon national effort He cannot be charged with selfishly clinging to office This he could put aside, he has done before, without or regret. Even if he laments the failure of the great socialistc experiment in Great Britain under his leadership, he must be buoyed up by knowing that he still has the respect of his fellow countrymen and the continued admiration of his many friends across the sea.