BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN.

CABINET CRISIS. RUMORS OF RECONSTRUCTION, AN IMPORTANT MEETING. London, Dec. 28. Cfcbinet had a two hours' sitting yesterday, and a historic meeting is expected to-day. The general impression of this newspapers is that the division in the Cabinet really concerns conscription, while the matter of the treatment of unattested single men is relatively subsidiary.

The Daily Telegraph says there are indications that the Cabinet is divided . between compulsion and voluntarism. ■ Resignations may occur, and even a general election be resolved upon. The Daliy Chronicle deplores political wire-pullers contemplating the desperate expedient of a general election, which is n gambler's plunge. The cream 0 f the voters are in the army, and there is no issue before the electors. Mr. Asquith is bound to keep his pledge to the married men, 'but there is not the smallest need to rush precipitately into compulsion. - That way discord and disunion lie. The Daily Mail says that Mr. Balfour resolutely opposes compulsion, also Mr. .Henderson, while Mr. Bonar Law and I/>rd Kitchener have not stated their attitude definitely. Apart from these and Mr. Lloyd George, the Cabinet is divided on Liberal and Unionist lines. Mr. Asquith desires to keep his pledge strictly, but as uniformity of opinion was unattainable Cabinet adjourned. On ■ to-day's meeting depends the continuance of the Government and the possibility of a general election. The Morning Post say 3 the matter is properly one for the General, who alone knows the real requirements. The decision rests with Mr. Asquith, but whatever he resolves the Cabinet will cert»&ly be reconstructed. THE WAP. COUNCIL CONFERS. The Cabinet meeting lasted 2% hours, •lid Mr. Asquith immediately afterwards held a War Council, at which Lord Kibhener, Sir Edward Grey and Mr. Balfour were present. '