New-York tribune., 1908-04-07
ASQUITH GOES SOUTH
SUMMONED By THE KING.
Several Cabinet Changes Likeiy-A
BlO1c to Home Rule.

| London, April 6.-H H Asquith. the Chan
| cellor of the Exchequer, who has been sum-
| moned by King Edward to Biarritz crossed from
Dover to Calais tonight on the way to meet the
King, whose absence at a time when il was fore
seen that Sir Henry Campbell Ba annerman's i'll
ness must lead almost inevitably to a Cabinet
| crisis, provokes criticism in the English papers.
There has been a run1or tha. the King would re-
turn to London on Saturday next, but this is
/ doubtful.
| IN his letter Of resignation to the King Sir
| Henry advised his majesty to summon Mr.. As
iauith. The latter. in fact. has no rival for the
leadership of his party and the government. His
| accession to the Premiership undoubtedly will
sooner or later lead 10 sweeping changes in the
constitution of the former ministry, but in the
unprecedented Circumstance of the British Pre-
| nier resgning in the course of important
session Of Parliament it is possible that the new
Premier will content himself with absolutely
necessary changes. leaving further reconstruc-
ton until the weighty measures before Par
| lament disposed of, in view of the desir-
| ability Of avoiding as far as possible by-elec-
| tons, which would be made necessary by ap-
| pointing men to new Offices
The friends Of Winston Spencer Churchill, who
| figures likely Cabinet. candidate, contend
| that he would be able to carry his seat in Man
chester. but taking into consideration the result
Peckham no Liberal seats are regarded too
| safe at the present time.
| Whether Mr.. Asquith decides 10 complete the
| reconstruction of the Cabinet now, or postpone
| it. any difficulty which he is likely 70 meet will
arise rather from redundancy than paucity of
| talent among the younger members of the party
| awaiting recognition. It will be almost impos-
| sible find places for all the deserving aspir-
! ants while further embarrassment is not
likely through the reluctance of the older MEM
| bers of the Cabinet TO make room for fresh
! blood
| 1t is an open secret that the party expects the
| retirement of the Earl of EIgin. the Colonial
! Secretary; the Marquis Of Ripon. Lord of the
Privy Seal: Lord Tweedmouth, First Lord OF the
Admiralty: H. J. Gladstone, Secretary OF State
for : e Home Department: John Sinclair, Sec
retary for Scotland, and Sir H. H. Fowler,
| Chancellor of the Duchy Of Lancaster but it Is
doubtful if they can be persuaded TO yield their
places.
Another development which is regarded as not
imDossible is that Mr. Asquth will make over
lures TO Lord Rosebery to join the Cabinet at
some future time. Mr.. Asquith is supposed to
be nearer in sympathy with Lord Rosebery IN
the political field than with the Radicals. but
conjecture in this direction need hardly enter
into the present calculations Beyond the fact
that David Lloyd-George, Winston Spencer
Churchill and Walter Runciman. the Financial
Secretary to the Treasury, will be included in
the new CABINET, ali is in doubt
SETBACK FOR HOME RULE
It is admitted on all sides that the retire
rnent of Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerrnan IS d
set back for the Home Rule movement and the
Nationaists do not attempt TO hide their dis
appointment, the only bright spot being that
Nj Asquith agrees to leave Secretary Blrrs1i
in charge Of the Irish Office.
John F Redmond the Nationalist leader, said
to-day 1T is undeniable that the resignation
Of Mr. Bannerman is a great loss TO Ireland. AS
to Mr. Asquith, there is nothing to say yet
do not intend 20 attack him until see what he
does or fails to do"
Parliament has been adjourned until April "A
to enable the issue Of writs for the reelection
OF new ministers, to have the elections
during the Easter recess. A meeting Of the
Liberal party is expected to be called at an
early date at which Mr. Asquith will make
declaration of policy and invite the party to
ratify il This meeting viii give formal con-
frmation and recognition of Mr.. Asquith as the
new leader of the party
An informal conference of ministers, under
the presidency Of Mr.. Asquith. was held before
to-day's sitting of Parliament, and the situation
was discussed in q general way, the Premier
elect being anxious to hear the views of his
colleagues relative to the prospect of Cabinet
changes
II seems possible that Lewis Harcourt, who
is considered something of American be
cause Of his American mother and wife. will
be included in the new Cabinet.
The House OF Commons was crowded this
afternoon when MI Asquith rose to make his
anticipated statement the political crisis
The Premier-elect was greeted with hearty
cheers as he began to speak. He said:
Since the house rose OF. Friday the King has
been pleased 10 accept the resignation of the
Prime Minister, and the government is
without head This is not the occasion when
il would be possible appropriate 10 do justice
u the great duai iities of revered and trusted
chief or to enlarge upon his long and splendid
services to the state For the moment ! will
not trust myself 10 do more than 10 say that in
the annals OF our history there is no man who.
after long years spent in the thick OF public
contention. has laid down the highest office
under the crown more universally and deserved
" beloved. There is not single man in any
quarter OF this house who does not feel that this
is a personal loss
Mr Asquith added that it clear public
business could not proceed effectively at this
time and he proposed that the House adjourn
until April II at which time after the transaC-
rion of formal business it would re-adjourn for
the Easter recess. Mr.. Balfour and Mr.. Red
mond Joined in feeling tributes 10 the retiring
Premier, the latter saying that Ireland had suf
fered loss only second 70 that at the time OF
the retirement OF Mr.. Gladstone. Mr.. Asquith's
proposal was then adopted and the House ad-
journed.
The bulletin issued this morning regarding
the health OF Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman
saws that the patient had good night and that
his condition remains unchanged
,rvu voDu coT0rrp rnIrNn MEAN