Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 11, 7 December 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

, MR LLOYD GEORGE. SUMMONED BY THE KING. (Received 9.45 a.m.) J London, December G. Mr Lloyd George has been summoned by the. King. MR ASQUITH’S RESIGNATION. * ' ’ : •. »a iiiii;; i ’■ • Press Association—Copyright, Ansi 'a - lian and N.Z, Cable Association. London, December 5. The Court Circular announces that the living has accepted Mr Asquith’s resignation. The news 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 necessary to find Ministers who were prepared to delegate their authority to a smaller body.

Mr Lloyd George did not object to Mr Asquith being a member of the Council, but held that a member of the Council cannot at tho same time discharge the duties of Prime Minister, in- view of the time taken up iu general administration, supervision, and. attendance in the House of Commons. 'When it was found that it was impossible to reconcile the conflicting views, Mr Asquith called the Liberal leaders together, including Viscount Grey, Mr Harcourt, Mr Montagu, Mr Samuel, Lord Crewe, Mr McKenna, Mr Runciman, Lord Reading, and Mr Henderson. Later, Lord Curzon was called in, and the party com-, menced negotiations with Mr Bouar Law.

Just before 7, Mr Asquith drove to Buckingham Palace, and had half an hour’s audience with the King. When be returned to Downing Street he was not carrying his portfolio. Apparently Mr Asquith suggested to the King to summon Mr Bonar Law.'

Throughout Mr Lloyd George was | most conciliatory. His letter of resignation wits couched in the friendliest terms. It recalled a decade of intimate personal association with Mr' Asquith, emphasising the factj that, despite the sharp differences of opinion occasionally, there never was a personal quarrel. Mr Lloyd George proposes that the War Council meet twice daily, oh oftener. He attaches importance tO ( the presence of the Labor Minister ol the Council, holding that Labor is virtually concerned in , the effective i prosecution of the gigantic conflict. | Mr Lloyd George and Mr Bonarj Law are no parties to the efforts ol j the Northcliffe Press to drive Mr As-, quith from the Premiership. They only knew Mr Asquith’s final decision] t 0 resign at 6.30. when Lord Curam, returned from the meeting of the. Liberal members of the Cabinet. | Three hours biter Mr Bonar Law wasi summoned to Buckingham Palace. I The temper of the present House of

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Commons is against a now Goveinment, especially ii the belie! tlmt Mi Asquith has been unfairly driven

from office is correct. There is reason to believe that Mr Asquith desires not to put any obstacles , in the way of a new Government, but thal , he will"advise his Liberal, Labor, and Nationalist supporters to assist Mi Lloyd George and Mr Bonar Law. 1 It is hoped that Mr Asquith will remain in public life, so as to R‘'e the country the honeift of his gieat experience and ability. He will l ,lu | bably receive a peerage. ! THE CHANCE IN LEADERS. j I BONAR LAW DECLINES RESPONSIBILITY, LLOYD GEORGE IN COMMAND. PRESS COMMENT. Press Association- —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 10.55 a.m.) London, December 0. ! The ’Westminster Gazette states that Mr Bonar Law declined to form a Ministry. The Daily Mail says that Mr Asquith on Tuesday morning changed his mind and wrote to Mr Lloyd George stating that upon reflection he could not agree, consequently Mr Llyod George sent iu his resignation in writing. The Times welcomes Mr Asquith s whole-hearted sympathy. Mr Asquith’s proposals were hopeless and impossible as a compromise. AVhat the situation now requires is to return to the well-tried English system of small harmonious Cabinets. I

The Daily News says: Mr Asquith’s resignation is a humiliation to the country. It is the result of tlu crusade engineered by the Northclifle party, and one of the most sinister incidents in the National history. The new Cabinet will , contain no Liberal element apart, from Mr Lloyd Geoigo, but we hope the. House of Commons will give the Administration lair play. •

A COMMAND CONFERENCE.

MINISTERS AT THE PALACE.

(Received 11.35 a.m.) London, December G. The Central* News states that the King called all the Ministers to a conference at the Palace. FRENCH PRESS APPROVAL OF LLOYD GEORGE. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.35 a.m.) Paris, December G. L’Hlumanite says: Tho problem Mr Lloyd George set before Britain will also be put before France. It is not a question of dictatorship, but organisation, rapid action, and will power.