MR. ASQUITH PASSES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 7

MR. ASQUITH PASSES

I ■ RESIGNATION ACCEPTED BY THE KING UNIONIST LEADER SUMMONED The High Commissioner reports: — ■>•.!■ London, December 5, 8.45 p.m. The Prime Minister has placed his resignation in the hands of th 6 King. Mr. Lloyd George hab resigned from the Ministry. (By Telegraph—Pxes Association—Copyright). (Reo. December 6, 2.55 p.m.) London, December 5. A Court circular announces that the King has , accepted Mr. Asquitjb's resignation. . Mr. Lloyd-George lias had an audience with the King.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ . The King has summoned Mr. Lloyd George.—Renter. • ' , MR. BONAR LAW SENT FOR (Rec. December 6, 7.5 p.m.) . i London,' December 5. i- • The report that Mr. Lloyd George had visited the King is untrue. Mr. Bonar Law was summoned to Buckingham. Palace at 5.30 p.m. It is suggested that he is likely to become Premier, allowing Mr. Lloyd George and Sir Edward Carson to run the war on the basis of permitting Sir John Jellicoo and Sir William Robertson a free hand.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ; (Rec. December 6, 10.55 p.m.) London, December 6. Mr. Asquith's resignation came as a bombshell,. showing that every effort to preserve the unity of the Coalition had failed. Though Mr. Lloyd George's -wishes concerning the War Council had been accepted in principle on Sunday, Mr. Asquith contended that the powers of the Council must be derived from the Cabinet as a whole. Consequently it was necossary to find Ministers who were prepared to delegato their authority to a smaller body. Mr. Lloyd George did not object to Mr. Asquith being a member of the Council, but he holds that a member of the Council cannot at the same time his duties as Prime Minister, since his time is taken up in general administrative supervision and attendance at the House of Commons. When it was found impossible to reconcile these conflicting views, Air. Asquith palled the Liberal leaders together, these including Viscount Grey, Mr. Lewis Harcourt, Mr. E. S. Montague, Sir Herbert Samuel, the Marquis of Crewe, Mr. M'Kenna, Mr. Runciman, Lord Reading, and Mr. Arthur Henderson. Later Viscount Curzon was called in, and commenced 'negotiations with Mr. Bonar Law just before 7 o'clock. Mr. Asquith drove to Buckingham Palace for a half-hour's audience with the King. When he returned to Downing Street he was not carrying liie portfolio. Apparently Mr. Asquitli had suggested that the King should summon. Mj\ Bonar Law. Mr. Lloyd George sent in a most conciliatory letter of resignation, couched in the friendliest terms. Ho recalled the past decade of intimate personal association with Mr. Asquith, emphasising the fact that, despite sharp differences of opinion occasionally, they • had never had a personal quarrel. Mr.. Lloyd George proposes that the War Council shall meet twice daily, or oftener. _ He attaches impgrtance to the presence of a Labour Minister on the Council, holding that Labour is vitally concerned in the effective prosecution of this gigantic conflict. Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law have been no parties to the efforts of the Northcliffe Press to drive Mr. Asquith from the Premiership, and only knew of Mr. AisquitVs final decision to resign at 6.30 p.m., when Viscount Curzon returned from the meeting of the Liberal Cabinet Ministers. Tlvree hours later Mr. Bonar Law was summoned to Buckingham Palace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ALARUMS AND EXCURSIONS IN DOWNING STREET. ' (Rec. December 6, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 5. There have been many consultations at Downing Street. The Marquis of Crewe, Viscount Curzon, Mr. M'Kenna, Mr. Lewis Haroourt, Lord Buckmaster, and Mr. E. S. Montague visited Mr. Asquith. It was noticeable that Mr. Lloyd George was absent.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . COUNTRY EXASPERATED ABOUT GREECE (Rec. December 6, 7 p.m.) London, December 5.. The "Evening News," referring to Mr. Lloyd Georgo's resignation, says that the Earl of Derby is expected quickly to follow him. "The country will support Mr. Lloyd George because it is deeply exasperated over Greece's treacherous' minder of the British troops, for which the nation jvill hold Mr. Asquith and Viscount Grey responsible."—United Service. APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY MAY FOLLOW (Rec. December 6, 11.55 p.m.) London, December 6. A paragraph in the Court announced the historic happenings to the public. It is said that Mr. Asquith had an audience -with His Majesty in the ovoning, and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister, which the King was graciously pleased to jiccept. It is generally believed that the resignation will entail a. general election. Before an appeal is made -fib the country, Mr. Bonar Law will form a Government and seek the country's approval. The present Houso of Commons is against tho new Government, especially if tho belief obtains that Mr. Asquith lias been unfairly driven out of office." There is reason to believe that/Mr. Asquith does not desire to put obstacles in the way of the new Government, and will advise the Liberal, Labour, and Nationalist supportersto assist Mr._ Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law. It is hoped that Mr. Asqxith will remain in public life and give tho country the benefit of his great experience and ability. He will probably receive a peerage.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HOW THE CRISTS DEVELOPED CONFLICT OF PERSONALITIES AND POLICIES. London, December 5. The "Daily Chronicle" (writing before the announcement of tho resignations): said: "A Ministerial crisis developed yesterday. There is a persistent rumour that Mr. Asquith will lesign to-day. Mr. Asquith has not vet abandoned the idea of reconstructing tho Government, but the situation is not hopeful. Mr. Lloyd Georgo and Mr. Bonar Law have conjointly submitted proposals for a. War Council with executive powers, of which tho Prime Minister will not be a. member, but over wb o se decisions be will have the light of veto. The War Counoil will then consist, 0 f: Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law, Sir. E. Carbon, Mr* A. Henderson.

"Though Mr. Asquith is unable to accept the proposal, he favours a small War Council, but considers lie should be chairman. Otherwise ho will be placed in a humiliating position, and prefers to resign. Viscount Grey and other Liberal members of the Cabinet support Mr. Asquith. If MY. Asquith accept the proposal or resign, Mr. Lloyd George and file Unionist Ministers will withdraw. The only means of escaping Parliamentary ombarrassments would be a goneral election." Tho "Chronicle" adds Unit a rti ong effort is being made to unseat Mr. M'Kenna or Mr. lluncinian, who desire to conserve the financial and shipping resources, and aro accordingly opposed to new military adventures overseas. It is generally believed that Mr. Balfour will shortly leave the Admiralty, and that Sir E. Carson will possibly succeed him. Mr. C. N. Basnos (Labour) is likely to join the Cabinet.—Ai'.s.-Ui'.Z. Cable Assn. MR. ASQUITH INSISTED ON THE CHAIR . London, Deoomber U. The "Westminster Gazette, prior to the announcement, indicated that Mr. Asquith had definitely declined tho proposal to form a War Council of which ho is not a member. "Ihe next move remains with Mr. Lloyd George. It is understood that Viscount Grey and most of the principal members of the Cabinet support Mr. Asquith." he "Gazette" adds that Mr. Lloyd George demanded a smaller War Council, with practically unlimited powers, the Prime Minister to be excluded, and only to have tho right of veto upon, the decisions. Mr. Asquith approved of the Council, but held that the Prime Minister must be chairman; therefore he would rather resign, than submit to any other arrangement/—Router; AN ALL-FOR-THE.FIGHTING-LINE PARTY . . . London, .December 5. The crisis ias shown that behind the conflict of personalities there is a conflict'of policies. One body of Ministers favours concentrating all the nation's s'trength upon the fighting services; others aiguo that if wo deplete the industries in ordor to fill the army, we will deprive ourselves of the means of financing the war. The difficulties of the Asquith Government are increased by the miserable results of Allied diplomacy in Greece and the deplorable withdrawal of the British and French marines after the attack on Friday. The Northcliffe• papers havo commenced vigorous attacks on Viscounb Grey and Lord Robert Cecil. It is believed that Mr. Lloyd George also favours Viscount Grey's resignation. The Forward Party in the Houso of Commons strongly supports Mr. Lloyd George. It favours a "drastic purge," and if he whittles down his original proposals a bitter disappointment will be produced, and."Mr. Lloyd' George's influence will be paralysed. The old party lines have been largely obliterated in the Lobby, and_ members discussing "the position are taking it for granted that they could adjust themselves to a. new coalition as easily as they did to the old one. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LABOUR SUPPORTS MR. ASQUITH London, December 5. Mr. G. J. Wardle, M.P. (Labour), announced that tho Labour Party unreservedly supports Mr. Asquith with its whole strength. Mr. J. H. Thomas, M:P., organising secretary of the A.S.R.S., speaking :at Kentish Town, said: tlis present political happenings were calculated to cause dismay in the trenches. "If the working man goes on strike ho is abused and called a traitor and other unsavoury names, and is finally brought under the regulations of the Munitions Act. Statesmen should be treated similarly. If they strike they cannot expect the workers to do their duty unless the leaders set the example. This fooling must stop. The country will not tolerate a dictatorship, but it is fed up with the Press campaign of calumny and. slander. If tho Primo Minister is not fit to sit on the War Council, then he in not fit to hold office." The opiniou of Labour is generally .neutral, but endorses the proposal that Labour should have larger representation in the Government and be more actively associated in the direction of the war.—Aust.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNOFFICIAL LIBERALS AND OTHERS. ,n. i- ptm i i . , London, December 5. The meeting of Liberal members carried a general vote of confidence in Mr. Asquith by 43 votes to 8. Ten members did not vote. The meeting conclusively proved that the Simomtes, who are opposed to Lloyd George, are in small strength in the Liberal Party. The Nationalists hold Bternly aloof. A meeting of unofficial Liberals, in eluding Sir John Simon, Mr. A. Birrell and Mr. C. E. H. Hobhouse, attracted about sixty, but failed to carry a motion condemning the forces which co ntinually Bought to overthrow the Gov-ernment.—Aust.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FOREIGN COMMENT GOOD WISHES FROM FRANCE. rru )■ i) «-vr ti ir. Paf ' 8 ' December 5. . Ihe Matin, says: Mr. Lloyd George expects, under the threat of resignation, to create a War Council.invested with full powers. France wishes tho new organisation success."—Aust.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WIDESPREAD INTEREST IN GERMANY. ... Amsterdam, December 5. Ihe crisis in England is causing widespread interest in Germanv, where it is behoved that Mr. Lloyd George will lead a Cabinet which will include Mr. Winston Churchill and Sir E. Carson. The "Vorwaerts" says; "The Lloyd Georgo conspirators have the upper naiKl. Our energetic submarine warfare has caused, distrust of tho capability of the Government. The Rumanian oatastrophe threatens to damage tho prestige of tho Entente moro than any other failure of tho war Tho German cannons before Bucharest are also hitting Mr. Asquith and Viscount Grey." The "Vossische Zeitung" says: "W Q all f ee l that the events of recent weeks have brought the end of the war considerably nearer."—Aust.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. AMERICAN OPINION. mi „» T vi to u!) it'Tn , Now York, December 4. The New lork World" says: 'It Mr. Asquith and Viscount Grey aro forced out of office, the change may bo anything hut beneficial to the uood relations between Great Britain and America."— Aust.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW ADMIRALTY BOARD (Rec. December 6, 7 p.m.) r\m • t rm. ■» i • i, ~ London, December 5. Official.—fhe new Admiralty Board will consist of:— \ Mr. A. J. Balfour, First Lord. ' Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, First Sea Lord. Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, Second Sea Lord. Rear-Admiral F. C. Tudor, Third Sea Lord. Captain Lionel Halsey, Fourth Sea Lord. Lord Lytton and Sir Francis Hopwood, Civil Members. [Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney has commanded tho 2nd and 3rd Battle ileets since 1913. Rear-Admiral Tudor commanded tho First Battle Squadron since 1914. Captain Halsey was Captain of the Fleet, on board Sir John Jellicoe's flagsh'ip, Iron Duke.]