The papers have published a remark, ble correspondence between Colonel
Lionel James and Mi. W. A. Appleton. Colcnel James writes to Mr. Appleton, the well-known secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions and editor of the Democrat, to offer him a loan of £10,000 for the Democrat without any conditions whatever.
"I fought against the enemies of my country in the war," Bays Colonel James, "and I think I see my way to lend a hand against them in peace. I know the British workman because I have had the proud privilege of leading him. . . . I have never belonged to any political organization. As regards employers my sympathies are on the side of the workman every tune. He is much better company. . . . The loan is perhaps not so heroic or magnanimous as it sounds, for I believe that the Democrat is a winner. . . the British working man knows a game 'un ' when he sees one. . . . If he don't back you in your campaign against the political crooks and cranks inspired by enemy and alien influences who are trying to interfere with his liberty, then the British soldier is not the good chap I have known this many a year."
Mr. Appleton, in accepting the offer, says that it could have come only from one who sees the industrial danger which lies ahead of the British workman. "To-day many are awakening to the fact that the paradise promised to them Is illusory." The Democrat is well and rightly named. Mr. Appleton believes in the will of the majority. He does not believe in throwing the hard-won franchise on to the scrap-heap.
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