Sheep Dog at Bay

Shaggy, clumsy, easy-going sheep dogs can put up a terrific fight when attacked and every Englishman knows how much like a .sheep dog is the Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin, M.P., P.C., whilom Prime Minister (1924-29), still Leader of the Conservative Party. Last week Mr. Baldwin began a political dogfight with two of the loudest snarlers in all Britain: the "Press Lords ' Viscount Rothermere and Baron Beaverbrook, famed "Hearsts of England" (TIME Feb. 10). Tooth and nail they are fighting to tear leadership of the Conservative Party from Mr. Baldwin. Major significance was lent to this combat last week when Prime Minister James Ramsay MacDonald referred officially in the

House of Commons to "the likelihood that we shall face a General Election before autumn."

In Caxton Hall, London, Mr. Baldwin began his fight with a vigor and alertness which flabbergasted as much as it pleased his friends. As Prime Minister the shaggy sheep dog was often lazy, muddling and inept--sometimes disgracefully so. On a public platform during the "Lord's Prayer," he would fiddle with his notes twitch his nose or scratch his ear (instead of praying), and later he would cross one leg over the other and look bored (instead of standing on both feet and joining in "God Save the King"). Indeed as Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin resembled exactly an amiable sheep dog licking his paws, but last week as Leader of the Opposition, fighting perhaps for his political life he was magnificent--John Bull at bay He began by revealing that Lord Rothermere has made two demands (as the price of support by his Daily Mail and Goliath newspaper chain for the Conservative

1) The platform of the Conservative Party in the coming Parliamentary campaign must be submitted to Viscount Rothermere.

2) Assuming a Conservative victory the Viscount must be informed in advance of the names of at least eight or ten Conservatives who would hold leading Cabinet.

Mad clean through, Mr. Baldwin controlled his rage, began thus: "There is nothing more curious in modern evolution than the effect of an enormous fortune rapidly made and the control of newspapers of your own. It goes to the head like wine, and you find attempts made outside journalism to dictate, to domineer to blackmail.

"Three of the most striking cases are: Hearst in America and Lord Rothermere and Lord Beaverbrook in England. Mr. Hearst has tried for years to dominate

American politics and has failed every time. He asked me to write for his press last summer and I declined [cries of Hear! Hear!" from Baldwin sympathizer*]. ln October he wrote a vicious article about me, and at the same time a fulsome account of Mr. MacDonald whom he has abused like a pickpocket within the last two months."

Having called Lord Rothermere a blackmailer by implication Mr. Baldwin said that a more preposterous and insolent demand than the Press Lord's "was never made on the leader of any political party " With rising anger he lumped Baron Beaverbrook with Viscount Rothermere shouted. They desire to dictate the policy of a big party, they desire to choose its "leader they desire to become Ministers of the crown!

"We are told that unless we can make peace with these noblemen, [their] candidates are to be run [against Conservatives] all over the country. A challenge has been issued to us. We are told the gloves are off! If they are, we shall see who has got dirty hands!"

Significance in the last election the Press Lords" backed Loser David Lloyd George. Next they started a great national campaign for "Empire Free Trade" (TIME, Dec. 2, et seq.). Contributions to their campaign fund were handled by Treasurer Beaverbrook. Suddenly he vvithdrew from the "United Empire Party " returned all contributions to contributors (thus leaving Viscount Rotnermere holding an empty bag) and joined with Stanley Baldwin on the basis that "food taxes," a major feature of the Empire Free Trade" scheme, would be submitted to popular referendum by the Conservatives if returned to power (TIME, March 17). Tiring soon of slow Sheep Dog Baldwin, mercurial Baron Beaverbrook has recently resumed alliance with dynamic Viscount Rothermere. Congenial spirits, they hope to cut Mr. Baldwin's political throat, seize his party. At the Conservative meeting last week one-third of the M. P.'s present at one time voted against Mr. Baldwin, but after the faithful old sheep dog had bayed and barked the Conservative sheep plumped unanimously for him.

"I stand where I stood," said Leader Baldwin in conclusion. "The Conservative policy will be one of rigid economy. We ask for a free hand in the safeguarding of industries. Our agricultural policy has been favorably received. We stand for the close economic unity of the empire. As for the Napoleons of Fleet Street, I accept their challenge. I call their bluff!'

*Liberal Leader David Lloyd George refuses to write for Mr. Hearst direct, but writes for United Feature Syndicate which sells his articles to Hearstpapers and others. The Welshman's contract allows him to cancel should he resume office, fore British Cabinet memebers may not write for papers or magazines. When he first left office Mr. Lloyd George could sell a 2,000-word article every fortnight through his U. S. connection for $2.50 per word. Today he has to be content with about $1.25 per word once a month

Signor Benito Mussolini is content with even less, partly because Il Duce is the only head of a State able and up-to-date enough to realize that be his pen he can advertise his country abroad and mold public opinion in his favor. He alone both rules and writes.

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