BONAR LAW’S RETIREMENT.

Shannon News, 22 May 1923, Page 4

BONAR LAW’S RETIREMENT.

BRAKE ON “ERRATIC GENIUS.” BUT WORKED IN OBSCURITY. (Received Monday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. Lord Beaverbrook, who spent the last fortnight with Mr, Bonar Law, says: “ The ex-Premier meant to recover and hold on, but had never contemplated a period like Earl Chatham’s last administration, in which the Prime Minister reigned, but did not govern. When I joined him at Aix les Bains, the will to recover was still there, but the effort had resulted in a retrograde movement. His throat was worse, instead of better. We delayed for some days, hoping - the beautiful climate of Aix les Bains would do him good, but finally he had to go to Paris. DircoUy Mr. Bonar Law r heard the doctor’s verdict, he was firm in his determination to retire. The supremo gift of character did not fail him. lie forgot himself entirely. He felt it would be unfair to the nation to ho.d a great position when his body was exhausted. In the last Government, Mr. Bonar Law did good work. His sanity corrected the irregular impulses of brilliant, erratic genius, but he worked in obscurity. The Coalition was doomed whan ill-health compelled him to retire. His dominating quality was judgment, the magic which enabled him to succeed Jay in his cool brain and honest heart.” KING ACCEPTS RESIGNATION WITH REGRET. NO POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR NAMED. (Received Monday, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. The King and Queen are spending a week at Aldershot and are due to return to London on Friday, but the King is only an hour’s drive from town in the event of a crisis necessitating his presence at Buckingham Palace.

A Court cjircular, dated from the Royal Pavilion, Aldershot, states that the King has received a letter from Mr. Bonar LaAV. in Avhich the latter, on the urgent recommendations of his medical ad\-isors, tenders his resignation. The circular adds that the King has received the communication with the deepest regret. The dubs are buzzing Avith rumours and speculations all day. Many members of the House of Commons lm/ve altered their holiday arrangements in order to stay in toAvn. Others have hurriedly returned from the country and seaside, including Mr. Stanley BaldAvin, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, aviao spent tlie day m tuO-. then AV.mt to Chequers Cov.i:. Mr. Bonar Luaa' did not nominate his successor, ;i>; this is not the practice Avher, it is a '/AS'.' of dTcat succession Avitliin a party. The King Lieu uses his oaaui discretion. Another feature of the crisis is that Ministers appointed, in connection Avith the change Avill not require to risk by-elections, as the nine months since the general election do not expire until August. During recent Aveeks there ha\ r e been seA r eral efforts to heal the breach Avith the Coalition Unionist Ministers. Within the fortnight Sir Robert Horne was invited to join the GoA r ernment, but he has acquired A - ast business committments. MoreoA r er, Sir Robert considers all Unionist ex-Ministers should stand together. The chief difficulty In the Avay of a re-union is Lord Birkenhead, Avhose recent speeches have angered many Unionists. Mr. Bonar LaAv’s supporters in Central Glasgow do not expect him to resign his seat in the Commons. The neAvspapers, regardless of party, pay tribute to the character and popularity of the retiring Premier. The “ Daily Telegraph,” after recalling Mr. Bonar LaAv’s sagacity and simple, hone.st character, say„ the future of the Conservative Party is inseparably bound up Avith the succession to the Premiership. Some of the troubles of the present Cabinet are directly due to lack of unity within the party ranks, and AAdioever is chosen as the neAv Premier, should make it his prime duty to strengthen the administration by the inclusion of distinguished Conseiwative leaders still out side, “ otherAvise avc shall soon have a Labour-Socialist Government Avith its policy of rank spoliation.” FURTHER TRIBUTES FROM THE PRESS. (ReceiA'ed Monday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. The ” Morning Post ” says the King and the country lose a Minister who can ill be spared, and one ivhom it Avill be difficult to replace. Mr. Bonar LaAV had the instinct of caution and Avithal a pawkiness’ of statement, which made him a toAver of strength in the Comical of the State. Th Post ” considers Mr. Stanley Baldwin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, liis best successor.

Til' 1 “ Daily Chronicle l ” says Mr. Rmnur 1 /.nv’.s illness and resignation "’HI f rent • greater sympathy, because lvc. never aroused the least personal animosity. lie was on; of the bestloved men in Britain's political record. 'I owes his success to his moral worth and his record in public lift; has assayed him of an honoured niche in the Tcmph of Fame. Th ”Wi ;l minster Gazette ” regards ‘he !••>»;!ltp tion as a serious disaster.

as a Co rnmenl which has •confidence in Used' is mmill needed. Mr. Ilonur Law's retirement reveals the p- v rye of Conservatism.”

The ” Dai y Herald ” sa.\'.s: ‘‘AVe have all learned to respect the exI’r mier’s sterling qualities of honesty, courage ami devotion to duty, which every man values in an opponent. For a time, the tail will wag the dog, then the nation will turn to Labour.” REGRETTED IN FRANCE. (Received Monday, 8.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 21. The news of Mr. Bonar Law’s resignation is regretted in official circles. His honesty of purpose and loyalty to

the Entente have never been questioned, and Frenchmen have never forgotten that Mr. Bonar Law, in August, 1914. thrilled Fra note with a timely assuranc • of England’s sympathy and help. WITH DRAMATIC SUDDENNESS. I ,ABO!j it I,FADER'S .SORROW. LONDON, May 21. Speculation in th • political clubs is cibi 'lly concerned with likelihood of Lord Cui7,j)i inviting the Coalition Fnionsts to return to the Conservative fold, but the general impression is that Ilia inelv.sicn cf Mr. Chamberlain, Sir Rolvrt Horne and Lord Birkonliead in a reformed Cabinet is remote.

Though there was much speculation during the week-end regarding Mr. Bonar baw's health iiis acta, ! resignation came with drauv.t ca ! unexpected suddenness. Sir Frederick (■fykes, his son-in-'aw, and Colon '.' Waterhouse, private secretary, carried Mr. Bonar Law's letter of resignation to Hie King at Aldershot. Ah'. Bamsay MacDmald said: "The resignation comes as a very .great shot >•, ;md surprise. My first thought is one of sorrow for Mr. Bonar baw’s serious condition. In rec nt months I have come j u regard him with real affection. The only thing I care about for the moment is the personal aspect.”