BRITISH CABINET.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1363, 14 February 1912, Page 5

BRITISH CABINET.

HIGH HONOUR FOR SIR E- 6REY.

CHANOE IN LEADERSHIP PREDICTED.

MR. ASQUITH MAY RESIGN

Bj Teleßr»»h-Freßa Ats«cfatl<iii-OiDrt!«<» (Received February 13, 9.35 p.m.) London, February 13. The King has created Sir Edward Groy, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a Knight of tho Garter, tho most exclusive order in tho world, consisting of only twenty-five Knight Companions apart from tho King, the Royal Family, and foreign rulers. Tho only previous instances of tho Order of the Garter having been conferred on members of the Houso of Commons are as follow-.-Sir Robert Walpolo in 1720, Sir Frederick North in 1772, Lord Castlereagh in 1811, Lord Palmerston in

1856. , „ .„. The "Daily Graphic" suggests that this almost unprecedented honour for Sir Edward Grev is a prelude to Mr Asquith s resignation and Sir Edward Grey's elevation to tho Premiership. This would bo distasteful to the Radicals and Labour members, but the best Liberals, the "Graphic" says, would welcome it. llio bestowal of the Order of tho Garter indicates that Sir Edward Grey commands his Sovereign's confidence. It is significant that Mr. Vaughan Nash, Mr. Asqnith's privato secretary, has been appointed Tice-Chainnan of the Development Commission. Tho "Graphic" adds that Lord Haldane's visit to Borlin is intended to assure tho Kaiser that Sir Edward Grey's Premiership would not mean a diminution in tho desire of tho Cabinet to arrive at a friendly understanding with Germany.