In 1896. I OF EUROPE. N discussing the question as to the forces which would tend to bring the United States of Europe into the most visible and tangible existence, I pointed out that there were two elements that were needed if the Federation of Europe was to be attained by the same road as that by which other federations had been brought about. The first and the most necessary is the existence of some extraordinary force sufficiently powerful to necessitate the union of those whose existence it threatens. Where are we to find an adequate Devil to overcome the force of inertia as well as the more active elements of national rivalry and race antipathies, so as to bring about the federation of Europe? The other element which is lacking is a central power sufficiently strong to compel the recalcitrant States to come into the alliance. Of course it is a nobler ideal that free and equal States should voluntarily of their own goodwill unite on a basis of absolute independence. Nearly every European State, England not excepted, represents the result of a process in which a strong central power has gradually crushed all rivals and established authority, which is now recognised by consent, by the summary process of beheading or slaughtering those whose devotion to their private and local interests led them to refuse to co-operate in the larger unity. The most helpful analogies are to be found in the United States of America and the Republic of Switzerland. There the federation was established by the co-operation of the sovereign States without the need for the intervention of any predominant central power; but alike in Switzerland and the United States, the federation which began in goodwill had to be enforced by the armed hand, and we need not be surprised if the United States of Europe only gets itself into material existence after considerable, bloodshed. In looking round for the necessary Devil whose evil influence is strong enough to compel the European States to federate, we fail to find any excepting our old friend the Assassin at Constantinople. "The United States of Europe on the eve of the Parliament of Peace" (1899), William T. Stead THE REVIEW OF REVIEWS THE PROGRESS OF THE WORLD. Thrilling Events. LONDON, Jan. 1, 1917. The crisis, foreshadowed by the feeling throughout the country, which had been growing in force for some time, of the need for a more energetic policy with regard to the war, came with a startling suddenness in the first days of December. Almost before the country had realised that Mr. Asquith and the Coalition were out of office, the new Ministry, with Mr. Lloyd George as Premier, was established. The events of the first days of December are so fresh in the minds of all that to recapitulate may be tiresome, and yet, because our endeavour in "The Progress of the World" is to record events as much for future reference as for current reading, we feel it our duty to do so. On December 1st Mr. The Lloyd George addressed Controversy. a letter to Mr. Asquith, proposing the formation of a War Committee, to consist of three members, from which the Prime Minister was to be excluded. On the morning of December 2nd, it is alleged, Mr. Asquith accepted the scheme, but refused it in the afternoon. In the evening of the same day Mr. Lloyd George declared he would resign if no action were taken. On Monday, December 4th, it was declared by several newspapers that a provisional arrangement had been come to by which Mr. Asquith should remain in supreme control; although not a member of the War Committee, he would, however, have a daily report and could attend if he so wished, and would have an absolute veto. To this, it was said, Mr. Asquith had assented, and agreed to a reconstruction of the Administration. In the afternoon he asked the House of Commons to adjourn till Thursday, when he hoped the reconstruction of the Ministry would be accomplished, and stated that all Ministers had resigned in order to make organic reconstruction possible. The King's Appeal On Tuesday afternoon, December 5th, after con..sultation with his chief Liberal supporters, Mr. Asquith rejected the scheme, and in the evening placed his resignation in the hands of the King. The King then asked Mr. Bonar Law, as leader of the largest party in the House, to form an Administration. Mr. Bonar Law told His Majesty it was impossible for him to form a Ministry. The King then appealed to Mr. Lloyd George, who, it is stated, also expressed his inability to form a Ministry. The King then summoned the leaders of the chief political parties to a Conference at Buckingham Palace, the result of which was that Mr. Lloyd George was again invited to undertake the task of forming a Ministry, Mr. Bonar Law undertaking to assist him. Mr. Lloyd George was now faced with the immense task of forming a Ministry which should |