Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 10, 6 December 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

POLITICAL UPHEAVAL. MR ASQUITH’S RESIGNATION. Extraordinary—Press Association. London, December 3. Official—The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. H. H. Asquith, has resigned. CONFIDENCE IN MR ASQUITH. THE POLITICAL CONFLICT. PERSONALITIES AND POLICIES. viscount Grey attacked. STATESMEN REBUKED. (Received 11.40 a.m.) London, December 5.

A Liberal meeting carried a general vote of confidence in Mr Asquith by forty-three votes to eight, there being ten abstentions. The meeting conclusively proved that the Simouices, who opposed Mr Lloyd George ! were of small strength to the Liberal Party in the crisis, and it was shown that behind the conflict of personalities there was a conflict of policies. One body of Ministers favour concentrating all our strength upon the fighting services,, while others argue that if we deplete the industries in order to fill ethe army, we will deprive ourselves of the means of financing the war.

The difficulties of the Asquith Government were increased by the miserable results of the Allied diplomacy in Greece for the deplorable withdrawal of British and French marines after the attack on Friday. The Northcliffe papers have commenced a vigorous attack against Y£scount Grey.

Lord Robert Cecil, and it is believ ed, Mr Lloyd George, also favours Viscount Grey’s resignation.

Mr Thomas, Secretary to the Railwaymen, speaking at Kentish flown London, N., said the present politica happenings were calculated to cans* dismay in the trenches. If, he.said the working man goes on strike, he if abused and called a traitor and othe unsavoury names, and is finall. brought under the regulations of tin Munitions Act; and statesmen shouk be treated similarly’ if they strike We cannot expect the workers to d. their duty unless the leaders set ai example. ' This fooling must stop. The country will not tolerate a dicta torsip, but is fed up with the pres. campaign of calumny and slander. U tho Premier is unfit to sit on the Was Council, then he is unfit to hold oJ flee.

THE LATEST FORECAST. SITUATION STILL DIFFICULT. THE PROS ANDnCONS. PARTY VIEWS DISCLOSED. \ (Received 10.55 a.m.) London, December 5. Latest news shows that the poli tical situation is still difficult.

Lobby opinion attaches great importance to Mr Bonar Law’s efFoits at conciliation. There is general expectation that Mr Asquitli will not consent to be excluded from the War Committee. Mr Lloyd George still desires to be president of the Committee, though remaining in the War M inisti >. Lai tDerby, as Under-Secretary, is pmroming the Actual work of the W ai Office.

The Daily Chronicle states: The Ministerial crisis developed yesterday. There is a persistent rumour that Mr Asquith will resign to-day. Mr Asquith has not yet abandoned the idea of reconstructing the Government, but the situation is not hopeful.

Mr Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law conjointly submitted proposals to invest 'the War Council with executive powers, and of which the Prime Minister must not be a member but over whose decisions he ought to exercise the veto. The War Council then to , consist of Mr Lloyd George, Mr Bonar Law, Sir Edward Carson, ajul Mr A. Henderson. Though Mr Asquith was unable to accept the proposal he favours a small War Council, but considers he should be chairman; otherwise he would be placed in a humiliating 'position, and prefers to resign. Viscount Grey and other Liberal members of the Cabinet support Mi Asquith. If Mr Asquith does not accept or ( resign, Mr Lloyd George and thoj Unionist members of the Cabinet will withdraw.

The only means of escaping these Parliamentary embarrasments would be a general election. The Chronicle adds: A strong effort is being made not to saddle Mr Medina and Mr Runciman, who desire to conserve the financial and shipping resources; and accordingly they opposed the new military adventures overseas. Generally, it is believed that Mr Balfour will shortly leave tho Admiralty’, Sir Edward Carson being his possible successor. Mr Barnes is likely to join the Cabinet. The 1 01ward Party in tho House of Commons strongly supports Mr Lloyd George and favours a drastic purge. If it whittles down to the original proposals, bitter disappointment will be produced, and Mr Lloyd George’s influence will ho paralysed and the old party lines largely obliterated. fl'he Lobby discussion by the Commoners points to their taking it foxgranted that they could adjust themselves to a new coalition as easily as they’ did the old one. Tho Nationalists hold sternly aloof. Labour opinion, generally, is ycutral, but it endorses the proposal that Labor should have larger representation with the Government, and should be more actively associated in the dii-ection of the war. A meeting of unofficial Liberals including Sir John Simon, Mr Birrell and Mr Hobhouse, attracted about sixty, but failed to carry’ a motion condemning the forces which have continually sought to overthrow the Government.

LLOYD GEORGE RESIGNS.

THE REAL STUMBLING BLOCK. ASQUITH NOT WANTED. . Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian Cable Association. (Received 8.50 a.m.) London, December 5. Mr Lloyd George has resigned in consequence of MroAsquith’s intention to continue as a member of tho War Council.

the new war council.

FOUR STRONG MEN. QUESTION OF PREMIERSHIP. Press Association—Copyright, Aust'a lian and N.Z. Cable Association London, December 1. The Evening Standard says the acute stage in the crisis lias passed. Mr Lloyd George has got substantially what lie wants, including,a small War Council with ample powers enabling quick decisions, whereat Mr Asquith will have power to attend. It will probably consist of Mr Lloyd George, Air Bonar Law, Sir E. Carson, and Mr Henderson. This Council of four will be an admirable working body. Sir E. Carson is a suitable colleague for Admiral

Jollk'oe at the Admiralty, air «»<'»■ Law will go to tlio 1 reasury. and .a Balfour to the Colonial Ofiica. Air A 1 * Kcnna, who gained Mr Asquith confidence in dealing "'LL r() ‘ oss ' figures and harmonising the A Hie; finance, is naturally dissatisfied at tl proposed rearrangement. It is asserted tiie I’nim ids urge Mr Asquith to resign, but wvlhdre the request upon the receipt ol a me; sage from Mr Asquith. in the House of Commons, a hui dred Liberal members passed a n sou lion of eoniidence in Mr t' db. tl< daring his continuance of the brim iership was'.necessary in order to 11 tain national unity, and to siicees: fully prosecute the war. CONTROL OF WHISKY., USE FOR HIGH EXPLOSIVES, WHAT PRICE A GILL! Press Association —Copyright. Published in ' I imes.” (Received S.oO a.in. London, .Decemlier

The Government will alter .lamian take over .all pateut-stil! "bisk,' made in Scotland. Only seventy pel cent, of the present consumption will lie allowed to be distilled by malt distillers. The total prohibition ot whisky is not suggested, the spirit being the best known substance for making high explosives.