stry that would last six months.
Day after day the Canadian stuck to his task and gradually the three men,
all smarting from old political quarrels, agreed to send an ultimatum to
the skipper that they demanded a sailing committee under the leadership
of "Pincher" Lloyd George.

In other words they demanded a War Cabinet with the Welshman as Chairman.

Finally, in desperation, Lloyd George called for a mutiny. Bonar Law
summoned all the Tory crew around him. They went to the bridge and told
the Skipper that they were sorry to break the news to him, but it had
been decided that, all things considered, he had better walk the plank.

Mr. Asquith was dismayed, blustered, then resigned--defying the mutineer
Welshman to do any better. His Majesty called on Bonar Law to form a
cabinet; the Canadian declined with thanks but mentioned the name of a
certain Welshman as a likely candidate for the job. The Welshman was
asked--and accepted. Two days later his Cabinet was formed. Carson took
over the pumps; Bonar Law went up to the bridge and Lloyd George
delegated to himself the rank of Commander and Pilot of Britain's ship of
State.

And that is the story of Beaverbrook's tremendous contribution to winning
the war. He secured most of the Labour Party, the Tories, and Carson for
Lloyd George; without them the Prime Minister could never have formed a
government.

Sir Max Aitken wanted more than a Peerage for his work; he had hoped for
a position of tremendous power, but the Government made him a Lord and he
went back to Canadian publicity.

* * * * * *

Imagination tries to conceive of any Englishman coming over here to merge
Borden, Laurier and Crerar. Imagination fails. Not even Aitken could
have done it. That he succeeded in England where he must have failed in
Canada must have reasons.

1. Experience in mergers.

2. Prestige as a Canadian.

3. Advantage of being--Max Aitken.

The first we understand. The second involves the Empire. Aitken was--if
anything that could be labelled--a Tory. He had no trouble becoming a
Unionist. His success with Bonar Law made it possible in getting rid of
Asquith. He could call Carson "Edward". He could think as fast as Lloyd
George. It was a time for quick thinking--and action. He had opened all
the heavy doors in Montreal--and closed them upon all but those he wanted
inside. He tried the same thing in England. His audacity was inspire