Evening journal., 1903-09-24
KING INSISTS
ON EFFICIENCY
Edward Takes a Hand in the
Reconstruction OF the
British Cabinet
GREATLY SURPRISED
His Majesty Is Exercising His Veto
Powers to Such an Extent as to Be
Regarded More Of a Cabinet Maker
Than Balfour.

London. Sept. 24.-The political cri-
sis has taken on a phase which lends
to the present situation an historical
and constitutional Importance of al
most unprecedented interest The king
has interfered. not unconAtitutionally
or beyond the powers vested In the
crown, but in the exercise Of his pre-
negatives, to an extent never dreamed
Of in the Victorian era.
Premier Balfour's continued pros
ence at Balmoral has given rise to
much surmise and comment. but II Is
due to the kings determination not to
assent to the formation Of new cabi-
net until thoroughly satisfied that its
personnel and combination is such as
to insure the efficient carrying on OF
the affairs OF the empire pending tho
resumption OF parliament For years
previous. cabinets we're formed or min
isterial vacancles filled with the mere
formal presentation TO the sovereign
of the names Of the new ministers.
King Edward has done away with this
tradition. He has spent the last few
days in constant discussion with Mr..
Balfour as to the advisaoility from the
point OF view of the national welfare
Of the latter's appointments Minister'S
now holding offce and those nominated
for Office have been summoned to Bal
moral to Join in these conferences, and
all have been subjected TO q degree Of
interrogation such as has surprised
even those who knew King Edward in
timately as Prince Of Wales.
To such an extent Is King Edward
holding his power Of veto In reserve
that now he Is almost regarded by the
inner circles az more the cabinet maker
than Mr.. Balfour himself. Though,
with his usual tact, the king has re-
Trained from expressing any political
views or infringing on any rights be-
longing to the ministers, this has not
prevented him from expressing his de-
nircs. amounting aliH8st tp-il-aSf77Es r 7 q
that steps be taken to remedy ale
scandals in the army administration
revealed by the report Of the South Az
rican war commission, and insisting
that the new cabinet shall be one
adapted 10 deal with that question.
After the long conversations he has
had during the last few days at Balmo-
raj. the king is said TO have expressed
the opinion that Lord Lansdownc'B
record as war secretary was due more
TO the badness OF the system then in
vogue than to any defect in. Lord Lans-
downe's own judgment King Edward
has not shared the keen public indig-
nation against Lord Lansdowne aroused
by the report OF the South African war
commission, and after a minute exam
inntion of the circumstances, ne is un-
derstood TO have consented to his lord
ship continuing as foreign minister.
This decision has not prevented his
majesty from frankly telling the minis
ters that he wanted something done TO
improve the military muddle. and that
he hoped some man would be appointed
who, with the commissions report as
basis, would be capable Of changing
the system which rendered ineflciency
unavoidable
Dealing with the surmiso upon some
Of the foregoing points the Morning
Advertiser said. THE king has in this
national emergency resolved to play
the part Of a ruler instead OF being
content with that OF a hgurehead."
In the meantime. every detail of the
Il negotiations for filling up the vacan-
cies in the cabinet are submitted to
the king. who for the time being has
transformed Balmoral into the political
centre Of the empire from which, owing
to the unusual influences at work. sew
eral surprises may emanate. Whatever
the results may be. they can safely bo
attributed to a large extent to the
kings interest in the crisis.