The decision of the English coalition cabinet to hold a general election on October 27 is directly opposed to the statement of two weeks ago that any political unrest would be unfavorable to the best solution of the present economic difficulties. The cause for this seeming inconsistency is undoubtedly that the government feels, since the withdrawal of the Labor party's support, that the cabinet's strength is not sufficient to establish the proposed reforms. Thus at the cost of a few days of uncertainty, the government seeks a more permanent and secure stabilization.

By the lowering of age limits six million votes are added to the electorate. This now element combines with the very unrest which is bringing on the election to make the outcome undeterminate. The Labor party, at present the largest faction in the House of Commons, is conceeded a chance for victory. Since the calming hand of MacDonald has been removed, the platform of the Laborites has become more radical. Now the party has announced its firm belief in socialism as the only real solution for all the evils caused by capitalism and unregulated competition. It proposes as a remedy governmental control of coal mines and immediate cancelation of all war debts.

Socialism which has been lurking for some time over England will, in this election, first assert itself. If the Labor party does win, the position of England will become unpredictable. It may resort to the usual radical tactics of conservatism in power, or it may introduce new legislation of a socialistic nature. If the MacDonald faction is victorious, the necessary support will probably be assured for the carrying out of the famous "doctor's mandate."