Detroit evening times., 1945-05-26
IN
BY Maj. Gen.
D. P. Barrows

D. P. Barrows
MR.. WINSTON CHURCHILL
Ava has publicly announced that
with the kings consent "a nec-
essary but nominal permission
which the king cannot withhold)
general" or parliamentary elec.
tions for a new House of Com
mons will be held in July.
The British Socialist-Labor
party, which has given loyal
support 10 Mr.. Churchills coali.
tion government, refused 10 con.
slider its continuance until the
war with Japan was ended, and
this decision forces a general
election and return 10 party
government.
This election promises to be
one of the most spirited in Eng
lish history. and it will be fol-
lowed with great interest by
Americans.
The contest will be between
the Conservative and Labor
parties.
fhe Liberal party will cer-
taiRly participate, bat it's pres
ent membership is small: in
sense il has been nearly ground
10 pieces between the millstones
Of conservative principles and
state socialism
COMPARISO';S between par
~ ties IN America and Great
Britain are somewhat hazard.
Gus. for they are not strict.
But in a real way the Liberal
party in England was analogous
10 the Democratic party in the
United States up TO the last
administration OF Grover Cleve-
land
Both were founded on quite
similar political and economic
principles
1t would be even more hazard
uus 10 say that the ConScrva-
tive party has similarity 70
the Republican -party-in-thIs
country. and the SocialiSt-Labor
party with the New Deal.
But there would he considera-
bic accuracy IN thus alignlng
their doctrines and leadership.
The British are more candid
or courageopS-tha we are in
giving their parties names that
describe then.
New d eaterS here would
probably be unwilling 10 call
themselves the American So
eiaiist-Lahor p arty, though
their program of state aid a.d
state ownership and control IS
hardly dIstinguishable from the
British model.
Republicans are certainly
conservative" as regards left
wing objectives. but they would
recoil from the name Con-
Sorvative. -
GONE years ago tho New
- York correspondent OF the
London Times, an acute student
Of our politics. wrote that in
America there IS no definitely
conservative philosophy what
ever and no public men who
would allow themselves 10 be
denominated conservatives.
That is because our thinking
always identifies us with pro-
GreSSive movements. and 20
avow respect for past insti-
tutionS Is 10 be branded as a
"reactionary' a "diehard" or
Tory"
But the British do not fear
name calling, and they have a
strong body of conservative
philosophy 10 stand upon
This IS their defense against
extreme measures. whereas the
American defense is legal. or
reliance upon constitutional
safeguards that surround life
and property.
THERE is another political
Il distinction between our two
peoples In the face of danger,
either financial or political. the
British turn 10 the Conserva-
tives.
In similar circumstances the
Americans, who have an ad-
venturous and even a gambling
strain in their blood. turn for
leadership TO those who offer
experiment and radical meas
ures or relief.
In this British election we
shall as usual be more inter-
ested in personalities than in
parties.
Mr.. Churchill. in this war.
has risen to great heights in
American regard
Americans will regret seeing
him pass out of English public
life.
However. he is II years ~
age, and months ago indicated
his disposition TO relinquish Of
flee when the war ended.
On the other hand, the Brit
ish people esteem maturity and
experience more than we do.
The great William Gladstone