CABINET CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2750, 19 April 1916, Page 5

CABINET CRISIS

SERIOUS SPLIT ON i COMPULSION } MR. LLOYD GEORGE MAY RESIGN UNIONIST LEADER IN A QUANDARY SENSATIONAL RUMOURS ! By Telegraph—Eross Association—Oopyriitht (Reo. April 18, 9.30 p.m.) London, April 18. The Cabinet crisis has reached a critical stage. The Government has not arrived at a decision satisfactory to Mr. Lloyd George, who continues to demand compulsion for married men. • The Army Council continues firmly to demand compulsion for married- men, despite the fact that Mr. Asquith and the sub-committee of Cabinet are maintaining that the committee's recommendations are sufficient. LEADING OPINIONS ON THE SITUATION A DIFFICULT CRISIS (Rec. April 18, 9.55 p.m.) London, April 18. The "Daily Telegraph" says: "An acute political crisis would throw the country into confusion, and spread dismay amongst our Allies. A sufficient answer to the compulsionists is that Lord Kitchener remains at the War Office after Cabinet has rejected general compulsion. The Unionist leaders have seen the full facts and figures, and have decided that there are limits to raising soldiers beyond which Britain cannot go safely." Tho "Daily Chronicle" says that there is a possibility that some of the Ministers will resign to-day. "Though the Unionist members of the Cabinet conferred before the meeting, Cabinet was unable to adjust its . differences. The majority does hot believe that a fresh measure of compulsion is yet necessary, but Mr. Lloyd George firmly holds that it is, and threatens to resign if Cabinet should finally decide against compulsion. Alternatively, Mr. Arthur Henderson will resign if it is decided that compulsion is necessary. "Mr. Lloyd George's attitude is embarrassing tho Unionist members of the Cabinet, as Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Austen Chamberlain are members of the sub-committee which, with Mr. Asquith and Mr. M'Kenna, decided that it was not necessary to enlist the unattested married men! In.Mr. Lloyd George's view, the Army Council's reconiniendation is a fiat, and he insisted that the sub-committee's report should , be referred back for fresh consultation With Lord Kitchener and Sir 'William Robertson. This brought compulsion to a" sharp issue. Mr. Bonar Law is in. a most difficult position. He favours compulsory service, but attaches great importance to the preservation of the Coalition Government, and he is now forced t) choose between the repudiation of Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Austen Chamberlain, and- meeting the reproaches of Sir Edward Carson and the Unionist "War Committee... Mr. Lloyd George estimates that the compulsion of married men would add 400,000 to the Army, and would be the only method of complying with the Army Council's requirements." ■ It is noteworthy that the "Manchester Guardian" opposes compulsion, but invites some of the "most living mindß in the Government" to pass auto Opposition, and thus "recreate a responsible Parliamentary criticism." An Imperial Problem. Lord Sydenham, commenting on the current situation, says: /'Earnest thinkers in all parts of the Empire have long believed that the British people could not rise to their.full height in their mission in the world to develop their unrivalled resources or safeguard their liberties against aggression, without a closer union of purpose and effort. Much has been done to secure joint counsels arid to provide for an interchange of information in regard to matters connected with Imperial defence, but advisory bodies can rarely succeed in attaining great objects, and-confer-ences 'may fail where executive action is imperatively required.. The vision of the Federal Empire, blurred and indistinct' in the past, now stands out in clear outline as the result of the startling- revelations which the war has forced upon lis. , "We now understand that all that we cherish is at* stake, and has been in grave peril. We realise, as never before, that far closer Imperial cooperation- is essential, not' only for national safety, but for the solution of vital economic problems. We shall have to reconstruct the shaken fabric of our prosperity by turning- the whole ,resources of the Empire to account for the benefit of its citizens in all classes. Is this possible without organic union? Will not our shared sacrifices of gallant lives and_ treasure, lavishly poured out; be in'vain.if we do not now create an Empire, in the government of. which all members can take part? Can so supreme an opportunity ever recur ? Upon tho answer to these questions the future of the British people must depend." LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. (Rec. April 18, 11.5 p.m.) London, April 18. The "Tinier" says: "It is impossible to conceal tho fact that affairs in the ( Cabinet reached a crisis on the very morning'-of Mr. Asquith's statement. The. Government is without an acriwd polioy. The Oabinet meeting was of unusually short duration, but.. nnxnus abortive negotiations were continued in the evening, and-elided in a deadlock. Meanwhile,- the lobby is humming; with rumours of resignations—when it became clear that the Army Council's firm attitude had made important converts, Mr. Lloyd George and Lord Kitchener were mentioned." The "Daily Mail" says: "There have been no resignations-at the moment of going to press, but it is clear that Cabinet is very unsettled. Victory now depends on the adoption of compulsion. Most of the Cabinet Ministers are unwilling or unable to face the facts. Mr. Asquith should face the problem from the standpoint of the soldiers and'Feamen, who alone know how many men are wanted to boat' the Germans. Military necessity is giving way to the fetish of unity, which means a com-, promise of impotence." (Rec. April 18, 11.25' p.m.) The political crisis developed late vestcrday evening, when it became known that Mr. Lloyd George was heading a small minority of tho Cabinet in the' opinion that the Army Council's demands cannot bo met by any schemo short of general compulsion, and was prepared to press that opinion to the extent of his resignation. , -Rumours of Mr. Lloyd George's threatened resignation aro so frequent that many of the Commoners beciino doubtful, pointing out that Lord Kiti chener has apparently agreed with the 1 majority in the Cabinet. The crisis be- . eariie acute when it was doclared that iLord Kitchener,'the whole of the Army

Council, and all the General Staff signed a memorandum covering the Aiiiy's requirements. * #■• -• • .'. Lord Curzon agrees with Mr. Lloyd George as to tho necessity of meeting the unanimous demand of the military authorities. Mr. Asquith, Mr. M'Kenna, Mr. ltunciman, and possibly Mr. Balfour oppose compulsion. I Tho "Daily-Mail" saysthat.it is believed that .Sir William Robertson (Chief of the General Staff) will resign if tho Army Council's demands are not met. ' ..,...,.....,

Mr. Bonar Law is inclined to waver. It is understood that lie is now considering his position in the Coalition.' 'Die Whips ' wore active last night. Apparently Mr. Asquith is preparing for. important action in the House of Commons, but possibly the statement will be postponed. ' The King gave an audience to Mr: Asquith in the evening. Mr. ■■'■■ Bonn Law's position largely depends on the , attitude of the Unionist Party.