BRITISH CABINET CRISIS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 7 December 1916, Page 5

BRITISH CABINET CRISIS

NO SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT. MR LAW DECLINES TO FORM MINISTRY BUCHAREST CAPTURED HUNS ADVANCING ON PRAHOVA OILFIELDS STARTLING PARIS RUMOUR GENERAL JOFFRE TO BE REMOVED

BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS LLOYD GEORGE SUMMONED #P - LONDON, Dec 6. The King gave audience to Mr Lloj'd George. A Court circular announced that the King has accepted Mr Asquith's resignation. A Reuter cable states that the King ias summoned Me Lloyd George. LLOYD GEOEGE'S DEMANDS. SMALLEE WAE COUNCIL. PEEMIEE NOT A MEMBEE. LONDON, Dec. 5. The "Westminster Gazette states that Mr Lloyd George demanded a smaller War Council, with practically unlimited powers, the Premier to be excluded and only to have the right to veto decisions. Mr. Asquith ' approved of the Couneil, but Jield that the Premier must be chairman. Therefore he would rather resign than submit to any other arrangement. GENERAL ELECTION POSSIBLE. LONDON, Dec 6. .. A paragraph in a' Court Circular announced the historic happenings to the public. .It is said air. Asquith had an audience with His Majesty that evening, and tendered his resignation asaPrime Minister, which the King was graciously pleased to accept.

WHO IS TO BE THE NEW PRIME MINISTER. LLOYD GEOEGE OE BONAE LAW BONAE LAW SUMMONED BY THE KING. ASQUITH CAUSES A SENSATION. LONDON, Dec. 5. The report that Mr Lloyd George visited the King is untrue. Mr Bonar Law Avas summoned to Buckingham at 5.30, and it is suggested that he is likely to be Premier, allowing Mr Lloyd George and Sir Edward Carson to -run the war on the basis of permitting Admiral Jellicoe and General Eobertson a free hand. Mr. Asquith's resignation came as a bombshell, showing that every effort to preserve the unity of the Coalition had fniled. Though Mr Lloyd George's wishes concerning the War Council were accepted on 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 he held that a member of the Council cannot at the same time discharge the duties of the Prime Minister since his time is taken up with general administrative supervision and attendance at the House of Commons. When it was found impossible to reconcile the conflicting views, Mr Asquith called the Liberal leaders together, including Viscount Grey, Earl Crewe., Hons. Harcourt, Montagu. Samuel, MeKenna, Eunciman and Henderson. Later Lord Curzon was called in and commenced negotiations with Mr Bonar Law. Just before 7 o'clock Mr Asquith drove to Buckingham Palace, where lie had half-an-hour's audience witli the King. When he returned to : Downing Street he was not carrying his portfolio. Apparently Mr Asquith suggested that the King summon Mr Bonar Law. "Throughout Mr Lloyd George was most conciliatory. His letter of resignation was couched in the friendliest terms. He recalled a decade of intimate personal friendship with Mr Asquith, emphasising the fact that despite sharp differences of opinion occasionally there never had been a personal quarrel. Mr Lloyd George proposes that the War Council meet twice daily, or oftener. He attaches importance to the presence of a Labour Minister in the Council, holding that labour is vitally concerned in the effective prosecution of the gigantic conflict. Mr. Lloyd George and Mr Bonar Law were no parties to the efforts of the Northeliffe press to drive Mr Asquith from the the Premiership. They only knew of Mr Asquith 's final decision to resign at 6.30, when Lord Curzon returned from the Liberal Cabinet Ministers' meeting. Three hours later Mr Bonar Law was summoned to Buckingham. MANY CONSULTATIONS.

It is generally believed that the resignation entails a general election. Before an appeal to the country, Mr. Bcnar Law will form a Government and seek the country's approval. The temper of the ijresent House of Commons is against a new Government, especially if there is a belief that Mr. Asquith has been unfairly driven from office. There is reason to believe that Mr. Asquith desires not to put obstacles in the way of the new Government, and will advise the Liberal, Labour and Nationalist supporters to assist Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law. It is hoped that Mr. Asquith will remain in public life and give the country the benefit of his great experience and ability. He will probably receive a Peerage.

NO COMFORT FOR GERMANY.

LONDON, Dec. 6.

All newspapers.insist that the enemy need not draw comfort from Mr Asquith's resignation, since the only point at issue is the method of carrying on the -war. with the greatest vigour. All agree that Mr Bonar Law does not desire to form a purely party administration. He wishes to keep the Coalition in existence. It is believed that the Hons. Montagu and Samuel have sympathy with some of Mr Lloyd George's aims and may serve the new Government. Hon. Samuel may succeed the Hon. McKenna It is expected that Heading, a prominent member, will probably be Lord Chancellor. Viscount Grey, Mr Balfour, and Lord Lansdowne are not expected to continue in office. Messrs McKenna, Bunciman and Harcourt and Earl Crewe actively supported Mr Asquith. They were averse to any compromise with Mr Lloyd George. They also objected to the inclusion of .Sir E. Carson in the Cabinet. This was the cardinal feature of Mr Lloyd George's plan. Sir E. Carson last year showed great qualities, and his straightforwardness, sagacity and simple wisdom gaining the respect of many Commoners who previously were bitterly opposed to him, apart from the possibilities of a settlement in Ireland, which Mr Lloyd ' George has always considered feasible.

LONDON, Dec 5. There have been "many consultations in Downing Street. Earl Crewe, Lord Curzon, Mr. McKenna, Hon. Lewis Harcourt, the Hons. Buckmaster and Montague, visited Mr. Asquith. It is noticeable that Mr. Lloyd George was absent. COUNTBY EXASPERATED BY GREEK TREACHERY. LONDON, Dec. 5 The Evening News, referring to Mr Lloyd George's resignation, says Lord I Derby i s expected to quickly follow suit. The country will support Mr Lloyd George, because it is deeply exasperated by Greece 's treacherous murder of British troops, for which the nation holds Mr Asquith and Viscount Grey responsible.

Mr Redmond, interviewed, said: Tke Irish party views the crisis from a different standpoint from other parties. We are excluded from responsibilities in the direction of the affairs of the Empire.' From the outset we condemned tweoalitioh, feeling that the results would be disastrous to Ireland and prove a weak and ineffective instrument fer currying on the war.

KING GEOEGE CALLS A CONFEEENCE. OF ALL CABINET MINISTEES. Received 11.35 LONDON, Dec. 6. The King has called all Ministers to a conference at Buckingham Palace. BONAR LAW DECLINES TO FORM MINISTRY. A HOPELESS AND IMPOSSIBLE COMPROMISE. "MOST SINISTER INCIDENT IN NATIONAL HISTORY." Received 10.55 LONDON, Dec 6. The Westminster Gazette states that Mr. Bonar Law has declined to form a Ministry.

The Daily Mail says Mr Asquith, on Tuesday morning, changed his mind and withdrew his assent in writing to Mr Lloyd George, and stated that upon reflection he could not agree. Consequently Mr Lloyd George sent in his resignation in writing. The Times welcomes Mr Asquith's whole-hearted sympathy.- His proposals were a hopeless and impossible compromise. What the situation now requires is a return to the well-tried old English system of small and harmonious Cabinets. The Daily News considers Mr Asquith's resignation is a humiliation to the whole country, as it is the result of a crusade engineered by Lord Northeliffe. It is one of the most sinister incidents in our national history.

The new Cabinet will contain no Liberal element apart from Mr Lloyd George, but we hope the House of Commons will give the Administration fair play. NEW BOARD OF ADMIRALTY. LONDON, Dec 5. Official.—The new Board of Adriiiralty consists of Mr. Balfour, Sir John Jellicoe, Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney (Second Sea Lord),- Rear-Admiral Tudor (third), Captain" Halsey (fourth) the Earl of Lytton and Sir Francis Hopwcod, civil members. N.Z. MINISTERS AT HOME. LONDON, Dec 3. The crisis interferes with Mr. Ivlaasey and Sir Joseph ,Ward's negotiations. Mr. Massey visits the Midland munition .works next week. Sir Jas. Carroll returns to New Zealand early in January, visiting South Africa en route. A PROBLEM FOR FRANCE. Received 11.35. PARIS, Dec 6. "Humanite," a prominent French journal, says the problem Lloyc George has set before Great Britain will also be put before France. It is not a question of a Dictatorship, but organisation, rapid action, and will power.

PEACE OVERTURES.

MOVEMENT IN GERMANY

NEW YORK, Dec 5

The German censor has permitted Mr. Cyril Brown, the New York Times Berlin correspondent, to send a message emphasising the widespread peace movement in Germany. An over whelming majority favour an early peace. He quotes the Tageblatt and Vossiche Zeitung as stating that the prospects of peace are brightening, but Count Reventlow distrusts peace through the German medium. The New York Times' Rome correspondent says that B'ishop Bourne informed the Pope that the feeling in England is such that it would be useless to make a serious peace movement now. The Pope *is therefore convinced that any move by President Wilson or the Pope would be inadvisable at present.

IN AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE. Dec 6. The Labour Conference resolved to urge Britain and the Allies to formulate peace terms. It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to the leader of the Labour -Party in Britain. CHIEFS AT VARIANCE. HINDENBURG AND HOLLWEG. BISMARCK AND VON MOLTKE IN ONE. LONDON, Dec 1. An Amsterdam message reports the probable resignation of the German Chancellor (l)r von Bcthmann Hollweg). A German press controversy on this matter discloses the belief that Hiiulenburg is beginning to regard himself as Moltkc. He forced the resignation of a combination of Bismarck and von von Jagovv (late Foreign Secretary) whom the Chancellor, favoured.

THE ROUMANIAN CAMPAIGN. UNABLE TO CHECK THE ENEMY. RETIRING BEFORE SUPERIOR FORGES. LONDON, Dec. 5. A Russian comunique states: Roumanian attempts to check the enemy on the roads between Ploesei (37 miles due north of Bucharest) and Bucharest were unsuccessful. The Roumanians are retiring east from Titu, a railway junction 35 miles north-west of Bucharest, towards Bucharest, and east and south towards Slobozia, ten miles west of Bucharest, under incessant attacks from superior enemy forces. Wo captured another range of heights on the Moldavian frontier, but were compelled to retire from the height south of Vorouesska, in the wooded Carpathians.'' BUCHAREST CAPTURED. . Heceivcd 9.45 VANCOUVER, Dec. G. Berlin has announced that Bucharest, the capital of Koumania, has been captured by the German and Austrian forces. HUNS STILL HARASSING ROUMANIANS. MARCHING ON THE PRAHOVA OILFIELDS. THEN ON TO VALONA.

Received 11.35

AMSTERDAM, Dec 6

A German correspondent says the victory at Argesu was only possible because the Roumanians -had no time to destroy the bridges. The Ninth German Army was incessantly attacking the rearguards. The Austro-Germans are now march ing straight on to the oilfields of Prahova. If the valley is reached they will be on the line of retreat of the second Roumanian army, which has •held up the enemy for two months.

Sofia messages declare the next task of the Germanic Powers will be the capture of Valona, which is in the Italian occupation, and thus join hands with Greece and Bulgaria.

GREECE. BRUTAL GREEKS. EMULATING NURSE CAVELL'S MURDERERS. Received 9.45 LONDON, Dec. 6. A telegram from the British Legation at Athens states that two Greek Red Cross nurses, after attending to the wounded at the Legation all daylong, were subsequently arrested, dragged before the head of the police, and shut up for thirty hours, foodless and waterless, in a filthy latr.ine, and subjected to continuous attempts at rapine. Their house was .looted. They have now been released. They state that the headquarters of the police are filled with Venizelists, some battered to death, others with their, eyes gouged out. The late head of the secret police wa s tied to a post and beaten on the head with a club by an orthodox priest. .STATEMENT BY EARL CREWE. SOME DEGREE OF ORDER REESTABLISHED. LONDON, Dec. 5. In the House of Lords, Earl Crewe announced that since Lord Robert Cecil's statement, a telegram from the Athens Minister reported that a certain degree of order had been established. It had been ascertained that irregular bands attacked the Entente troops and Venizelists, these bands including officers who had been dismissed from the Greek regulars, now guarding Athens. The British Minister advised Britons to go to Pir.aeus for greater safety, though they did not fear immediate danger to British life and property.

The Government did not regard the .situation as being of less gravity, and were unshaken in their, determination to fix the responsibility of Friday's events and secure their non-recurrence. The whole question involved naval and military considerations. BELGIAN DEPORTATIONS. SWITZERLAND IS WISE. BERNE, Dec. 5. The Federal Council has rejected the resolutions of the Cantonal Councils protesting against the Franco-Belgian deportations, as they involve an investigation which is not within Switzerland 's province. IN THE AIR. BRITISH AIRMEN BUSY. Received 11.35. AMSTERDAM, Dec 6. British aviators bombed the railway junction and military works " near Brussels on Tuesday morning.

A STARTLING RUMOUR. JOFTRE MAY BE REMOVED. Received 9.45 NEW YORK, Dec. 6. The New York Times publishes a Paris story that Joitre, Generalissimo of the French army,' may be removed. ON THE SEA. TOLL ON NORWEGIAN SHIPPING. 242 VESSELS SUNK. CHISTIANIA, Dec 5. Two hundred and forty-two Norwegian ships have been sunk during the war, of which 93 have been sunk during the last six months. NO CRISIS WITH AMERICA FEARED. WASHINGTON. Dec 5. Germany -has preliminarily replied to the Arabia Note, claiming that the Arabia was a transport American officials do not expect a serious crisis and anticipate a controversy regarding the character of the vessel. THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN. SERBIAN SUCCESSES LONDON, Dec 5. A Serbian communique says: We developed our successes north of Grunista and Budimiru, and carried new fortified positions. HONOUR TO NEW ZEALANDER. Received 11.35 LONDON, Dec. G. Genera] Milnes, in a Salonika dci spatch, specially mentions Lieut-Col. MeGavin, of the New Zealand Mounted Corps. NOT AN APOSTLE OF KULTUR. BERNE, Dee. <i. lien 1 Maxmilian Harden states that von Jagow left the Foreign Office because he disapproved of the submarine policy and the deportations of Belgians and French.