Evening star., 1935-06-08
Britain Changes Pilots.

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Long-heralded changes in the lead
ership Of the British government have
at length taken place and on gen.
orally anticipated lines. Ramsay Mac
Donald, because Of impaired health
and failing eyesighS. relinquishes the
prime ministership and is succeeded
by Stanley Baldwin, head of the Con-
servative party, who has been in fact,
If not in name, the real power in the
National" government, over which
Mr.. Macdonald has presided since
1881. The veteran labor statesman
will remain in the Baldwin cabinet as
lord president of the council, but
his duties and authority are purely
nominal. As an actual force in the
government it is obvious that his sun
has set.
Mr.. MacDonald's virtual departure
from the scene is not without its
pathetic aspect. The titular head of
q ministry dominated by the Con-
servatives in Parliament, he has long
merely been tolerated at No. 10
Downing Street. 1t was we'll understood
that his career there would be termi-
mated whenever the Tories decided
that the moment was propitious from
their standpoint. That time has now
arrived. In consenting to take the
helm Of National" government to
confront the financial crisis four years
ago, Mr.. Macdonald parted company
violently with his old Labor supporters,
who never afterward ceased to de-
nounce him as traitor to the cause.
The Sage of Lossiemouth leaves Office
a man without party. Along with
the devotion of the Laborites he also
forfeited the faith the Liberals once
had in him. Yet contemporary Brit
ish history cannot fail to accord Mr..
Macdonald an honored place. His
record in the realm of foreign affairs
was not distinguished, but he was q
consistent and Jealous advocate of
peace and limitation of armaments,
and, to the extent of his powers. always
placed British influence behind all
constructive efforts in those fields.
Perhaps the strongest indictment that
can be leveled against Mr.. Mac
Donalds international activities Is
that they were supercharged with
idealism.
In Stanley Baldwin Britons envision
the typical Englishman," a states
man who combines a scholarly back
ground with business training and ex-
perience and personifies the spirit of
rugged common sense. 1t Is generally
expected that the new prime minister
will 60 to the country late In the
year and through q sweeping Conser-
vative victory in general election
retain office as an out-and- out party
leader, rather than as the head of a
coalition National" government. No
changes in British policy
are looked for as a result OF current
cabinet shifts. Sir John Simon is
transferred from the foreign secretary
ship to the home office. Sir Samuel
Hoare, lately secretary for India, sue
ceeds Simon at the foreign office.
While Sir Samuel's administration of
Indian affairs was frequently assailed
by critics as weak" there is not
likely to be any lack of strength in
foreign policy under a government
dominated by Baldwin. That "busi-
ness as usual" is in prospect in the
realm would seem to be
indicated by the prime minister's an
that the government sees
no reason to alter its policy Of making
no further debt payments to the
United States, though it remains
ready to discuss revised settlement.