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TTENTION has been called in this department to the political platform of the British trades unions. It seems that that advanced program is not radical enough for one faction of the Labor group in the House of Commons, the faction led by men like Keir Hardie and other aggressive Socialists. Some friction has arisen between this wing of the Labor party and the Liberal ministry, and in certain byelections the former, instead of voting for Liberal or ministerial candidates, nominated and voted for independent or "third" candidates. Plainly, in such three-cornered contests the Opposition has greater chance of success than when it has to meet a Liberal-Labor combination. This circumstance has caused the cabinet much concern. Moreover the Liberals feel that Labor is not duly appreciative of the legislation in its interest proposed by the government-the bill relating to trade disputes, strikes, peaceable picketing, etc., the bill extending the accident compensation act to employes not now benefited by it, and the bill for free food to the children of the poor in the public schools. The government has a majority of 130 over all hostile groups and combinations; but it is disappointed at the attitude of the Labor party and is taking thought about possible political dvelopments.

According to Undersecretary Winston Churchill, "a rising man," the government may in the near future introduce a bill providing for a second ballot and requiring an absolute majority for the election of members to the House of Commons. This is the French system, and it works well. The first ballot tests the strength of the various parties and groups that place candidates in the field; where none obtains

a majority of the votes, another election is held and the minor groups transfer their strength to that which is nearest to them in ideas and thereby prevent the election of political opponents. Under such a system three-cornered contests lose their worst features. There is a strong prejudice in England against this "continental" device, but it is believed that fuller discussion will dissipate it.

Member of the House of Lords: "I must say that I view with apprehension this movement of popular landmarks_towards the scrapheap." -From "Punch,"

Meantime the Liberals, parliament having reassembled after the summer recess, are concentrating their efforts on the legislation that was left pending at the end of the last session, and collisions with the House of Lords are regarded as inevitable. That chamber is opposed to the Education bill and the Trade Uniou bill and wishes radically to amend them. Should the government find the amendment inadmissible, "an appeal to the people" may be decided upon, and this cannot fail to revive the great constitutional question of "mending or ending the House of Lords."

Cabinet Changes in France

There is a new ministry in France. Senator Georges Clemenceau, an extreme Republican, the leader of the journalistic champions of justice and right during the Dreyfus affair, has succeeded Sarrien as prime minister, and the whole cabinet has been reorganized in consequence of that change. Sarrien is supposed to have retired on account of poor health, but there are reports to the effect that personal and political differences in his cabinet (of which Clemenceau was the most masterful member) necessitated the reorganization.

One of the most remarkable and audacious of Clemenceau's acts was the bestowal of the portfolio of Minister of War upon General Picquart, the most heroic of the Dreyfus defenders. Picquart was a lieutenant-colonel when the "affair" first assumed an acute phase. He exposed the crimes of the military conspirators, and suffered degradation and persecution. For years he was excluded from the army. The final rehabilitation of Dreyfus carried with it his own vindication. He was restored and made general over a brigade; a few weeks later he was again promoted, and now he is the head of the entire army and in authority over his former persecutors and enemies. The nationalist reactionaries and the anti-Dreyfusards are furious, but Picquart is a high-minded, unselfish, earnest soldier and patriot, and there is no danger

of his attempting any retaliation or settling of personal accounts. His fitness and ability are generally recognized, as he is not only a man of excellent training, but a student of military science and hard worker.

Clemenceau's other associates in the new cabinet are Radicals, advanced Republicans and Socialists. Briand, minister of public worship and instruction, and Viviani, minister of labor, are the Socialists. They are not, however, partisans or extremists. They are independent and opportunist in their attitude. Clemenceau himself is an old radical, a militant Republican, an admirer of what is best in AngloSaxon civilization. He is individualistic in his philosophy, but a staunch believer in social reform. He is opposed to doctrinaire socialism, and his debate with Jaures, the Socialist leader in the chamber of deputies, on that question was masterly. He is, however, just as firm an opponent of shallow, doctrinaire liberalism, and recognizes grave defects in the existing social order.

His majority in the chamber, like that of Sarrien, must be made up of the Radical and "leftist" parties. The Socialists will be friendlier to him than they were to Sarrien, which circumstance, it should be added, may weaken him with the moderate Republicans, who do not like to see Socialism influential or represented in the cabinet.

The greatest task before the new government will be the enforcement of the church disestablishment act and the adjustment of the difficulties with Rome, the Pope having denounced the law as oppressive and outrageous and having enjoined all loyal Catholics to resist it passively. Income taxation, avoidance of deficits, old-age pensions for workmen, and so on are the other questions immediately to be dealt with.

In foreign relations Clemenceau will stand for peace, a good understanding with England and friendship toward Italy and Spain. Germany is distrustful of him, but without good reason. He has criticised her rulers, but he will neither seek nor seize upon causes of discord and friction.