The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-24
EDWARD VII.
PROPOSES
TO: RULE T:
Uses His Kingly Preroga-
tive of f.VetO.
GETTING CABINET
TO SUIT HIMSELF
Premier B Balfourls Constantly
at Balmoral.
THOSE NOMINATED
SUMMONED THlTHER E;
The King Tells Ministers Frankly that
He Wants Something Dom to I'M,
prove the Military Middle and
to Change the System
Of Insufflc-
iency.
THOSE NOMINATED
SUMMONED THlTHER
lBY Associated Press.l

LONDON. septcm Der 23.-rhe political
crisis has taken on phase which lends
to the present situation a historical and
constitutional Importance of almoe, un-
precedcntcd Interest. Tho King has inter
fercd not unconstitutionally or beyond
the powers vested in the crown, hu: in
the exercise Of his preragatves II ar
extent never dreamed OF in the Victorian
era.
Premier Balfour's continued presence at
Balmoral has given rise TO much sur
mise and comment. but the Associated
Press Is able to state definitely that 1t ts
duo to the Kings determination not &c
assent to the formation OF 4 new aabi :,
net until thoroughly satisfied that its per-
sonne and combination are such as to in
sure the efficient carrying on OF the af-
fairs OF the empire pending the resump-
tion Of Parliament. For years previous,
ca binets were formed or ministerial va
scancles filled with the mere formal pre-
scntation to the sovereign OF the names
OF the new ministers. King Edward l,ss
done away With this tradition. He hht
spent the last few days in constant dis
Ecilssion with Mr. Balfour as to the ad-
visa bility from the point ofSview Of the
na tional welfare of the latter's suggested
appointments. Ministers now holding Of
flee and those nominated for office have
been summoned to Balmoral to Join III
these conferences.
POWER OF VETO.
To such an extent is King Edward hold
ing his power Of f.veto in reserve tnat now
he is almost regarded by the inner cir
cles as more the cabinet maker than Mr..
Balfour himself Though, with his usual
tact, the King has refrained from eS-
pressing any political views or Infringing
on the initiative belonging to the minis
ters, this has not prevented him from
expressing his genuine desire amounting
almost TO n command. that steps lie
taken 10 remedy the scandals In the army
administra tions revealed by the reports
OF the South African war commission,
and Insisting that the new ca blnet shall
be one adapted to deal with that aues-
ton.
King EDWARD mas not SnaTeu tne kecIl
public Indignation against Lord Lans-
downe aroused by the report Of the south
African war commission, and after n
minute examination Of the, circumstances
Z he Is understood to have consented to his
lordshlp continuing as foreign minister.
The decision has not prevented His Ma
jesty from frankly telling the ministers
. that he wanted something done TO I'M
prove the military muddle, and that I've
hoped some man would be appointed who,
with the commissions report as basis.
would be capable OF changing the system
which rendered inef1iciency unavoidable.
The question of having some general,
notably Lord Kitchener, as head Of the
war office has been keenly discussed at
Balmoral between the King and the mir.
listers, but tho Associated Press under.
stands that the consensus of ppiu.on was