The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAT 26, 1915. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2471, 26 May 1915, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAT 26, 1915. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION IN BRITAIN

In this part of the world we are still very much in the dark regarding the circumstances which have led up to the reconstruction of the British Cabinet which is now in progress, though recent cable messages have lifted a corner of the cloud of uncertainty which hangs over the situation. For some time past there have been hints that trouble was brewing. By reading between the lines and piecing things together one could see, more or less clearly, that the British public was growing dissatisfied with certain phases of the Homo Government's war administration. The whole Empire has been favourably impressed by the vigour and ability which Me. Asquith, Mh. Lloyd GeorgEj Sir Edward Grey, and Lord Kitchener have displayed in 1 their Departments of Ministerial activity. The Government as a whole made a splendid commencement. It rose to the occasion in a manner which showed tho world that Britain was in deadly earnest, and intended to put all her power into the fight. The Unionist leaders made it quite plain that as far as they were concerned party politics had ceased to exist, and tliat they would give the Government the fullest support At that time Mr. Asquith did not consider it necessary to follow the example of the French Premier, who reconstructed his Cabinet- with tie object of sharing his Ministerial responsibilities with representatives of all politioal parties. Lord Kitchener was, however, made Minister of Wai;, an appointment which met with approval in every part of the Empire. The continuance of the existing Liberal Ministry in office was acquiesced in by Parliament and people during the early' stages of tho conflict, the general opinion being that it would be inadvisable to' reconstruct the Cabinet at that critical period. So. instead of forming a National Ministry, a policy of consultation with the loaders of other parties was adopted, and this appeared to work fairly well for a time. But after the nation had settled down to the war and the tremendous character of the struggle had impressed itself upon the betterinformed section of the public, people began to realise that a body of men who had been chosen to govern the country in days of peace was hardly likely to bo the best possible selection for a Ministry whose supremo duty was to make'certain of victory in the greatest war in the Empire's history. Yet on the whole the Government did remarkably well. The feeling that there was room fur improvement in certain directions has, however, . of lute spread rapidly, and the authorities have come in for ;i good deal of criticism in reference to the treatment of enemy aliens, the censorship of news, the recruiting campaign, the supply of ammunition, and other matters. _ There was undoubtcdlv some justification for the contention that Hie Government was not making the fullest. on d bost possible use of the whole resources of tho nation. There was naturally and properlv a srritl, «n || )( > par |. n f iJw greater gart of tho Pi'ess and

the public to criticise the strategy of the war. The country felt that this was a matter for the experts, and was quito ready to trust Lord Kitchener and Lord Fisheu to utilise the military and naval forces at their disposal. But some uneasiness was caused when it was rumoured that there had been friction at the Admiralty, and that Mr. Cnuncmu, was inclined to trespass on the domain of tho naval experts. To permit civilian interference in the direction of actual operations on sea or land would be suicidal. Mr. Churchill gained much credit for the thorough and enterprising manner in which he seized the opportunities which presented themselves, and for his administrative work generally as head of the civil side of the Admiralty. He also has certain personal qualities which have special national value in a stirring period such as that through which we aro now passing; but these very qualities are apt to cause trouble by tempting him to wander out of his legitimate sphere. He is so confident in the soundness o£ his own judgments that he is disinclined to brook any opposition even on matters concerning which he has no claim to speakiwiih tho authority of first-hand knowledge. However regrettable it may be, it is not altogether surprising that Mr. Churchill has come into conflict with the naval exports. Rumours of friction have been circulated from time to time, but people in this part of tho world, did not realise the sharpness of the clash until the news was received a few days ago that Lord Fisher had resigned owing to differences of opinion ' with Mr. Churchill. This incident compelled the Government to take action, and forced Mr. Asquith to decide whether Mr. Churciiill or Lord Fishek should retire from the Admiralty. _ _ Scope for Mr. Churchill's abilities might be found in some other responsible position, but tho national safety imperatively demanded that Lord Wisher have control of the naval operations unhampered by the interference of politicians. It is now understood that Lord Fisher will return to the Admiralty. _This means that Mr. Churchill will vacate his position as First Lord of the Admiralty, and has reopened the whole question of Cabinet ' reconstruction. Public opinion has arrived at the conclusion that the time is opportune for the formation of a National Government in which the portfolios will be allotted in such a manner as to secure the greatest possible efficiency from the war point of view. The proposed Ministerial changes will not give the enemy any cause for jubilation. They do not indicate any slackening in the prosecution of the war. On tho contrary, they show that the nation is determined that nothing shall be permitted to stand in the way of operations being carried on more vigorously' than ever.