New-York tribune., 1908-04-06
PREMIER QUITS OFFICE
NO C4BINET IN BRITAIN.
Nr. 4squith Summoned to- BiarritS
Sir HenS's Condition.

9 peculiar position, being without either Pre-
rnier or ministry. The long expected resigna-
,iop Of Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman the
Prime Minister. officially announced. Ac-
oording 70 the court circular he resigned on the
urgent recommendation Of his medical advisers.
and since the constitution Of the country pro-
vides no automatic successor. it resting with
the King 10 choose new head of the govern
rnent, and since. in accordance with custom and
precedent. the whole Cabinet resigns with the
Premier. no step TO appoint = ministry be
taken until H. Il. Asquith, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, who has been summoned to Biarrtz
for the purpose. has seen the King.
The position Of the country is unprecedented.
here being no previous example of a change .oc
cu-ring in the Premiership while the sovereign
vas abroad On this account the course Of
procedure to be followed is open to some doubt
Sir Henrys condition remains unchanged. ac-
cording 10 the physicians bulletin posted to-
day The King, telegra phing his acceptance Of
the Premier's resignation. conveyed an express
sion Of his regret and esteem, with best wishes
for Sir Henry's recovery.
M Asquith who has been acting Premier
for some time, Will leave here probeb bly, NOR
TOW morning for Biarritz. At Cabinet meet>
ing this morning specially called, he submitted
the Prenier's resignation and the situation
fully discussed.
Although so long anticipated, the announce
raent Of the Premier's resignation had not been
expected for some days, and comes as a surprise
n the country. Sir Henry's condition had shown
some slight improvement recently, and his res
igaation was not due 10 any sudden impairment
of his physical condition. On the contrary
among his friends his resignation is regarded
rather as a sign that the doctors are now more
hopeful Of his recovery
Monday, April +. had been fixed for Mr.. AS
qulca 70 move in the House of Commons the sec
ord reading Of the licensing bill, the measure
that Is regarded the most dangerous of all
the government bills the Eainistrys tenure
Of Office. Under the changed conditions this
debate probably viii be postponed until after
Easter and an adjournment of Parliament
moved 70 enable the Chancellor 10 proceed TO
Biarritz 10 kiss hands OF his appointment as
Premier and submit his proposals for the
construction Of the Cabinet.
Il may be inferred that no more contentious
business will come before the House of Commons
until the ministers are appointed. Con-
lecture il this matter is most active in all po-
uticsl centres tonight. It is believed that
David Lloyd-George. president of the Board Of
Trade. will succeed Mr.. Asquith as Chancellor
and that Sir Edward Grey viii retain his port
folio rs Foreign Secretary. but nothing can be
predicted with certainty
Among the interesting predictions is that
Winston Spencer Churchill, Under Secretary2for
the Colonies viii take the place Of the Earl of
EIgin IS Colonial Secretary and that Lord
TweedmoUth. First Lord OF the Admiralty, will
wt-hd-aT in order To accept some other Office.
NJ Asquith tonight declined 10 be drawn into
any statement OF the situation.
4Ir. AsQuith's accession 10 the Premiership
will be well received by all sections of his party,
with the possible exception Of the extreme Radi-
cal and Labor men, who are inclined 10 see in his
iInperialistie views the end of some Of their as
'pi-ations for socialist reforms. Similar feelings
a. likely 70 prevail in the Irish benches of thu
House Of Commons, where he is not regarded
sure friend Of Home Rule in any degree be
Toad giving Ireland control Of merely local af-
fairs.
among the general public Mr Asquith is
looked upon as showing the highest Career open
10 talent having ST 4 comparatively early age,
from an insignificant beginning attained the
highest position in the state. Nobody doubts
his great ability and administrative capacity.
During the recent weeks as deputy leader in
the Commons he also has shown unsuspected
warmth Of disposition The only question in
meus minds IS whether he has the art Of man
aging men. He is said 10 lack the personal en-
thus-asn and charm Of manner which distin-
suished his famous predecessors and is regard
ed as one Of the first essentials in gaining fol-
lowers
Gladstone Is one Of the cleverest young women
h had ever met. She is an admirable political
hostess and viii be invaluable 10 her husband
in his new post.
Bla-rirz, April a special courier arrived
here today with the letter OF resignation from
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerran. the British
Prime Minister II was announced later that
King Edward had accepted the Premier's resig-
nation and had summoned H. H. Asquith. the
Chancellor Of the Exchequer, TO come at once
% Blarrirz Il is the understanding here that
ne Premiership will he offered by tIM King TO
NJ Asglith.
The resignation Of Sir Henry Campbell Banner
man the first Liberal Prime Minister Of England
eace LORD ROseoery gave UP Office in 1895, has its
dramatic phase for as he passes from the stage
ne mixed forces which he held together a
pa-tE appear also 70 be relaxing grasp polit-
- po7er- The Campbell -Bannerman government
" has been stated. combined many factions
Ao roo many fads. all the elVnents Of opposition
~ elAserEs- ism and of discomfort united TO make
'-Hi-a-u cause against the old government and
Nnen Joined together in an administration work
* Team of Home Rulers. Laborites. Socialists
--ioera- ITnpe-.aIsrs and Little Englanders was
'Iha nigh Impossible. But il speaks much fcr
SH Henry Campbell -Bannerman's leadership that
- uSln'esrar.Ou OF his party has gone on 50
-l1A more witty since the attack OF heart
--ole' which ocrrlr-e5 last fall in Bristol, where
&c gone - make political speech, removed
ron Inc possibility Of active leadership
i-5hF. Campbell -Bannernan was not only the
> 4" Tie House Of Commons. bat also rs
'-- i4T ne has represented Stirling without in
-F.-oH ever si1ce he entered the House in 1868
--@ @ss u t-lrty-tVo plain Henry Campbell
O-sae-t Iis political life lie has been con-
-- ana StsncL advocate Of radicalism. and his
go Ialth never Vavered He did not derive