BRITISH CABINET RECONSTRUCTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2467, 21 May 1915, Page 5

BRITISH CABINET RECONSTRUCTION

STATEMENT BY MR. ASQUITH THE CHURCHILL-FISHER DIFFICULTY (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright) London, May 19. The Prime Minister (Mr. Asquith), in a statement in the House of Commons, said that he was contemplating the reconstruction of the Government on a broader personal and political basis. This would riot affect the Premiership, the Foreign Office, of the war policy. : Any reconstruction of the Government, said tho Prime Minister, was for the purpose of war alone, and must not be taken as indicating anything in the nature of a surrender or compromise of anybody's political purposes or ideals. Sir. Bonar Law said the Opposition's sole consideration was the finishing of the war. They leave out of their minds all considerations, political or otherwise. • The House will adjourn till June 3. The Labour Party has met and decided to accept an invitation to join in a coalition Ministry. It is rumoured that Mr. Churchill (first Lord of the Admiralty) will become Secretary of State for the Colonies. [A report covering the points of the above message has been received from She High Commissioner.] FORECAST OF THE NEW MINISTERS MR. CHURCHILL MAY TAKE THE COLONIAL OFFICE. (Rec. May 20, 8.50 p.m.) London, May 20 Th 9 "Daily Chronicle" states that the reconstruction of the Ministry has been thorough. The Unionists secure nearly half the offices, while tho Labour Party receives oile Cabinet Minister and one Under-Seoretaryship. It is belived that the Irish Party does not desire inclusion. 'Die "Chronicle's" forecast of the re-allotted portfolios is as follows:— Lord Chancellor—Sir Robert Finla (Unionist Attorney-General from 1900 till 1006), or Sir John Simon (present Attorney-General), replacing Earl Haldane. Chancellor of the Exchequer—Mr. Austin Chamberlain (Unionist Chancellor of the Exchequer 111 tho TTalfoitr Ministry), replacing Mr.-Lloyd George. Secretaries for War—Lord Kitchener (present Seoretary for War), and Mr. Lloyd George (present Chancellor of the Exchequer). President of the Board of Trade—Mr. Bonar Law (Unionist leaderj and Secretary to the Board of Trade in the Balfour Ministry), replacing Mr. Runoiroan. First Lord of th» Admiralty—Mr. A. J. Balfour (Prime Minister in tho previous Unionist, Ministry), replacing Mr; Churchill. Secretary of State for India—Viscount Curzon (formerly Viceroy of India), replacing the Marquis of Crewe. Secretary of State for the Colonies—Mr. Winston Churchill (at present First Lord of the Admiralty), replacing Mr. Lewis Harcourt. THE DISSENSIONS AT THE ADMIRALTY WORK OF INTRIGUING OUTSIDERS. ' , . London, May 19. The Churchill-Fisher difficulties were inspired by outsiders, who sought to embroil two of tho most strong-willed and patriotic men. The intriguers used the Dardanelles campaign as an argument, though Lord Kitchener was perfectly satisfied with the operations. Under the circumstances, Mr. Asqnith determined to secure a Cabinet with sufficient authority to squelch personal disputes. , „ r _ Tho "Star" savs that Mr. Balfour and Mr. Bonar Law have behaved splendidly, but recalls the fact that Coalition Governments have been unlucky in England. FIRST LORD'S IMPETUOUS POLICY. (Rec. May 21, 0.30 a.m.) London, Mar 20. The '"D.iily NouV states that Mr. Churchill carried the War Council wit.h hlfn in th* plans for the Dardanelles cnnipngn. and Cahinpl was committed by the movement of the ships before being consulted regarding the supply of Jiipji explosive shells. Huge supplies wprf forwarded, bnt the proportion of shrapnel far 6xrcoded thiit of the high explosive shells, which the Army command demanded. .

Mr. Lloyd Georgß holds tlin opinion that a »V*iional Government it) itetjen' Mry«