The Bismarck Tribune

David Lloyd George, prime minister or chief executive officer of Great Britain, again has proved that he is one of the greatest statesmen in the world.

Although Lloyd George has many enemies in the British parliament, which is like our Congress, he has just made such a powerful speech in the British lower house or House of Commons, that 372 members have voted to support Lloyd George while only 94 voted against him.

That means Lloyd George now can go ahead with his plans for the economic conference at Genoa, Italy. At that conference Lloyd George hopes to settle all the money troubles of Europe.

To realize the great victory Lloyd George has won, you must understand some differences between our own government and the governments of democratic European countries.

In the United States, when we elect a president, his administration lasts four years, no matter what the administration may do or what policies it may undertake.

But that is not true in Great Britain, France and other European democracies. There, when the administration— or "government", as it is called— wants to adopt some new policy or do something of vital interest to the nation, it usually asks the parliament or congress for a vote of confidence.

A vote of confidence is a test vote to determine whether the people of the nation support the government's plans or policies.

If the greater number of representatives vote for confidence, the government goes ahead with its plans. But if the representatives of the people vote against the government, it is customary for the prime minister and the officials in his cabinet to resign and let a new government (administration) take its place.

Lloyd George's big vote of confidence in the House of Commons shows the representatives of the British people are strongly in favor of his policies.