Cabinet Crisis

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 9, 5 December 1916, Page 5

Cabinet Crisis

RECONSTRUCTION URGED. FAILURE OF THE COALITION. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N'.Z. Cable Association London. December I. Official: Mr Asquith, ; n new ol Llio more effective prose;-' -:cn i) Hie war, lias decided to adv : .;e the King to consent to a reconstruction ol the Government. The latest news shows d!i.*u the Coalition is in the gravest peril. Mi' Bonar Law, Mr Austen Chamberlain, Lord Curzon, Mr'W. Long, Mr H. K. Duke, Sir K. E. Smith, and Sir Edward Carson attended a meeting ol Unionist members of the Cabinet,. They decided to send a letter asking Mi' Asquith to resign, otherwise the Unionists will leave the Cabinet and compel Cabinet reconstruction. Immediately after the conference Mr Bonar Law went to Downing Street and interviewed Mr Asquith, who hurriedly returned from Walmer Castle, where he was spending the week-end. Later Mr Lloyd George called. The three Ministers consulted together. The extent of Mr Lloyd George and the Unionists acting together is a

matter of conjecture, but it seems certain an understanding exists between them.

Reynolds' Newspaper, in a statement manifestly inspired, doubtless written by Sir Henry Dalziel, sums up Mr Lloyd George's position, and suggests that Mr Lloyd George will appeal from the Cabinet direct to the people. Itis probable he will make a statement to the Mouse of Commons, but it is more likely he will commence ids campaign in a large Midland town or his own ' constituency. Certainly he has id intention of effacing himself. There is every indication it will be » Lloyd George-Carson combination in favour of a more vigorous prosecution of the war. It is no secret that Mr Lloyd George has not been happy m tho Cabinet for a considerable time, being conscious that his efforts to secure a more vigorous prosecution of tho war did not receive the support in ceiitain quarters which he had a right to expect. His strenuous battle for the greater production of munitions was "never fully encouraged. .Malignant personal attacks in Liberal newspapers have undermined Mr Llryd George's influence with the working classes.

PRESS COMMENT. DAILY TELEGRAPH ON THE ROOT CAUSES. Pres 3 Association—Copyright, Austra lian and N.Z. Cable Association London, December 3. 1 The 'Daily Telegraph, discussing tho root causes of the political crisis, states: "Every problem is traceable to the lack of organised man power. We now require a general levy of man power, possibly of woman power also. The nation must be organised from end to end with the, sole aim of winning the war. Owing to- the partial failure tit the harvest in America we must get most of our grain from Australia, necess:tating a voyage of three or four times as long. In every direction the cry is for men. Men arc required to build battleships and merchant ships and man both Heets. There is now a tug-of-war between the Admiralty and tho Board of Trade, both of whom state tho difficulties are due to the , War Office, which has weakened the shipyards. Somebody must be appointed superior to the conflicting claims of the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Board of Trade. The Admiralty three years ago decided that every merchant ship should be armed. Tho Admiralty was told the guns would bo forthcoming when the requirements of the army were satisfied. The public demand for anti-aircraft guns added additional embarrassment. Ihis created another impasse between tho three departments. Tho office controlling tho food supply had been offered half-a-dozen men. All were refused owing to tho doubt regarding the power to overrule by the Admiralty, the War Office, the Ministry oi Munitions, and tho Board of Trade. Regarding aviation, tho navy claims, the right to manufacture special aircraft. Therefore it must completely control its own air service. The Air Board claims it must regulate, design, and supply all aircraft for the army and navy. Under present conditions it is undoubtedly undesirable that there should be competition in placing orders for aircraft between the Admiralty and the War Office." The Daily Telegraph, writing alter Mr Asquith's announcement regarding the reconstruction of the Government. says the situation improved later on Sunday, and there is now reason to be-, lieve that Mr Asquith, Mr Bonar Law. alM l Mr Lloyd George will reman, m their respective offices, Sir Kdward Carson becoming a member of the War Council and a Cabinet Minister without portfolio. The Dailv Chronicle says the changes i„ the Government will unl bo numerous. They include a small War Council, with executive powers, and the strengthening of the Labor clement in the Government. Mr Asquith makes ~ | n .icf statement in the House of ComI'motis to-day. Possibly Mr Bonar Law

The busiest store within town these 'd;ivs is the Melbourne, Ltd., due io t.lie unprecedented bargains ofierin;j during the iii'ni's gigantic sale oi drapery and clothing. The bargain. 1 - nre of an appealing nature inasmucli ; i S they comprise seasonable and cvery-day wanted-goods at a time when economy is such a desideratum.

and Mr Balfour will exchange offices. If so the War Council will consist ol Mi Asquith, Mr Lloyd George, Mr Bonar Law, and Sir Edward Carson. The Daily Chronicle protests against the way in which Mr Asquith. is daily assailed in every circumstance ol vulgarity by the Nertheliil'e I'r. ss. ' The Times states that Mr Lloyd George on Kriday wrote to Mr Asquith, proposing that the War Cemmittee have absolute control over ill" war, consisting ol himsell. Sir lulvard Carson, Mr Bonar Law. and a Labor member, possibly Mr Arthur Henderson, who could actively co-operate with Sir John Jellieoe and General Robertson. On Saturday Mr Asquith' inFormed Mr Lloyd George that he was prepared to accept, a reduction in the numbwr of the War Committee, but was unable to accept the proposal thai it should have unlimited power to conduct the war. There were also difficulties regarding the proposed exclusion-: from the Committee. Mr Bona.' Law then informed Mr Asquith that ho and Ids Unionist colleagues supported Mr Lloyd George, and that Lord Derby was also prepared to resign. The Cabinet has not yet been consulted, and Mr Asquith resumes his conversations with the colleagues to-day. From the conflicting statements in the newspapers, the fact emerges that there have been no resignations, though some were threatened, while the establishment of a small War Council, variously estimated at three or four members, probably including Sir Edward Carson, is regarded as settled. The crux of the position is the question of Mr Asquith retaining the Premiership. There was much conferring of Ministers yesterday.

The Times and Daily Mail assei

that the conference ended in a deadlock as Mr Lloy.d George was determined to fight for a Council consisting of Mr Lloyd George, Mr Bonar Law, Sir Edward Carson, and a Laborite, while Mr Asquith insisted upon the retention of Mr Balfour instead of Sir Edward Carson.

The Daily Telegraph says the Unionist members of the Cabinet, excepting Lord Landsdowne and -Mr Balfour met on Sunday morning, and decided to send a letter to Mr Asquith, asking him to resign, otherwise the Unionists would leave the Cabinet, Mr Bonar Law later interviewed Mr Asquith.