Second Edition. Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 64, 15 November 1915, Page 6

Second Edition. Great Britain

PRINCE ALBERT ILL. SEVERAL WEEKS TREATMENT NECESSARY. United Piiehs Association. (Received 1.52 p.m.) London, November 14. Official: Prince Albert i s suffering from obstinate gastric disorder and will be compelled to stay in London some weeks for special treatment. (H.R.H. Albert Edward Arthur George is the second son of the King, and is 20 years of ago. Prince Albert was gazetted midshipman to H.M.S. Collingwood in August, 1913). CHURCHILL'S RESIGNATION. United Press Associatcon. • / ' London, November 14. The Press Bureau announces that Mr Churchill resigned from the Government as he was not included in the War Council, and he preferred to join his regiment in France. The Press Bureau states that Mr Churchill wrote to Mr Asquith on November 11 as follows:—"When I left the Admiralty 1 accepted an office which entailed few duties, in order, at your request, to take part in the War Council and assist the new Ministers with the knowledge of current ■ operations which I then possessed in a special degree. I cordially agreed in the decision to form a small War Council, and appreciated the intention yon expressed six weeks ago to :■ include me as a member. I foresaw the personal difficulties you would have to face in the Council's ■composi- . tion, and f therefore, make no complaint that your scheme has chang- * ed; but with the change my work in the Government comes naturally to a close. Knowing what I do of the present situation, a-s an instrument of executive' power, I could not accept the general responsibility, of the war policy without an effective share in its guidance. and control, even when decisions of principle, rightly taken, and the speed and method of their execution are factors which may .determine the result. Nor do I feel able to remain in well-paid inactivity. Therefore I ask you to submit my resignation to the King. 1 place myself unreservedly at the disposal of the military v authorities for the purpose of

serving my regiment in France. A clear conscience enables me to bear the responsibility of past events with a composure that time will vindicate. The .administration of the Admiralty assigned to me ■•■ my due share in the vast series of preparations and operations which-has secured the command of the seas. With much respect aiid ( unaltered personal friendship, I hid you 'good-bye.' " Mr Asquith replied: I hope you will reconsider your decision, but I regret I found I was unable to include you in the* Council. You have rendered services, both to the Council and Administration, which none are better, able to appreciate than myself. I am. sincerely grieved that you think it isj your duty to leave the Cabinet,' but I am certain that you will continue toi take an attive and effective part in tho| prosecution of" the war. On personal grounds I feel acutely the severance of our long association." Mr Churchill will explain the reason for his resignation on Monday, in the House.of Commons. It is understood he will review the operations of the Admiralty, and will justify the action taken at Antwerp and at the Dardanelles. ' • PRESS COMMENT. The Times says that Mr Churchill's resignation, following that of Sir E. Carson, and Lord Kitchener's departure on a mission of ' uncertain duration-, is an illustration of what Lord Milner called '-the tendency of,: the Cabinet to shed its ~i elements ' of strength instead of shedding its elements of weakness."

The Daily News says it was not surprised at the resignation, which does Mr Churchill credit, as his retention of a seat in the Cabinet was the reason of Admiral lasher's j resignation. A new possi usefulliess' ion Lord Fisher now.(presents itself. > ! The Daily Chronicle says:."There is heat !ri"Mr Churchill's letter, hut there is also a tone of manliness and pride in work well done. He is evidently chagrined at his non-inclusion in the War Council. He will he a real loss to the Cabinet. Though impulsive and headstrong, he, posseses the grand qualities of vigor, decision, and courage. He has made mistakes, but has rendered unforgettable service." The Daily Telegraph states that the resignation has been received in the country with that respect and regret that is due to a statesman of great ability and ambition, wbo resigned his Cabinet rank rather than remain in well-paid activity. The public will certainly associate his retirement with the unfortunate lack of success at the Dardanelles. Whatever mistakes Mr Churchill may have made were due to his too vigorous and dominating personality ; he was not content to remain a sinecure. FOURTH WAR LOAN. Amsterdam, November 18. Germany i s launching a fourth loan in February.