Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-08
An Other States and Canada.
6ember Of the Associated Press.
Today in London.

Today in London.
1t will be amid strange and unusual
scenes that the House Of Commons
convenes today to witness the debut
Of the national government of emer-
9ency. When Parliament adjourned,
eSrly in the Summer. Ramsay Mac
Donald was prime minister at the head
Of 4 Lsbor cabinet, which, although 1t
did not WELD a majority in Commons,
had the support in that body of
united Labor party This noon, when
Big Ben tolls the hour for assembling
Of the extraordinary session necessi-
tatGd by British budget difficulties
Mr.. Macdonald will still stand at the
front bench as leader OF the govern
rnent. but government composed OF
Conservative, Liberal and Labor min
listers, hastily composed fortnight ago
10 tide over the nations financial dif-
ficulties.
Coalition cabinets are no phenomena
in Great Britain in times of gravity
or peril. The World War was less than
half over when it became necessary for
Premier Asquith to form a ministry OF
Liberals and Conservatives. But he
retained the undivided support of his
own party. the Liberals. In the coall-
ton government which goes before
Parliament today the prime minister
cuts the sorrowful figure of states
man deserted and repudiated by his
former cohorts. The party which the
Sage of Lossiemouth led up to the
dawn OF this month is now his
majestys opposition and is bent upon
obstructing by every parliamentary de-
vice At its command the projects and
programs of the man hitherto its be-
loved and trusted captain. The poll
tics OF neither Britain nor Of any other
country has in our time presented quite
such an anomalous situation. The pic
ture will be complete when Uncle
Arthur" Henderson. once Ramsay Mac
Donald's closest political comrade, faces
him at the head Of the opposition
bench and proclaims the Labor party's
intention to fight the national gov
ernment's policies tooth and nail
Mr. Macdonald marshals a host ca
pAble OF imposing its budgetary plans
Upon the country, regardless OF Labor s
hostility The new government en-
banks upon its vital task conscious that
its lease of life at best is limited. A
general election Is to ensue early in
the new year, If not before, and as
soon as British economic conditions
make the polling desirable. Labor in
sists that it will be returned to power
this time with majority and a man
date Of its own. Less biased opinion
foreshadows the resumption Of Con-
servative rule at No. 10 Downing street
The Liberal party could secure office
only by a miracle. All signs indicate
that the protective tariff will be the
issue Of the coming campaign, with Mr.
Baldwins Conservatives AS the pro-
tagonists OF system held by them to
be Britain's sole economic salvation.
Even some elements OF the Labor party
have been veering in the direction Of
program to scrap free trade.
Westminster Hall is sure to ring be-
fore many hours with some stirring po-
utical declarations. Ramsay MacDon-
aids Scottish accent will be heavily
drawn upon TO defend himself against
the indictment the Labor party Will
launch against him-namely, including
those who inhabit our own Wall Street
into 'betraying' Labor in the recent
government upheaval." His unfalthful
brethren will have difhculty in convnc-
ing the British people and people far
remote from John Bulls island that Mr.,
Macdonald took his fateful step to
serve selfish personal ends. No leader
Of q political party in any country was
ever toppled from his place amid more
plaudits than those which accompany
his enforced surrender OF Labor S
scepter.