The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-04-07
LIBERAL PARTY
IN SOME DANGER
Asquith May Not Be Able to
Hold Discordant Ele-
mentS Together.
IRELAND LOSES BY CHANGE
CAMPBELL ZIMMERMAN RE
VERED By HOME RULERS.


| London, April 6.-An informal con-
/ ference OF ministers under the presi-
dency of Herbert H. Asquith, cham
cellor OF the exchequer, was held prior
to the commencement of today's sitting
of parliament, and the situation was
discussed in a general way. The pre-
mier-elect asked to hear the Views of
/ his colleagues relative to the prOspec-
tive cabinet changes, now that the
necessity of its reconstruction has ac-
tually materialized In view of the
| lack of success at the recent elections
the cabinet will be rearranged so as to
avoid as far as possible the election
| contests made necessary when the
members of the house of commons or
! holders of under secretaryships are
elected to cabinet rank.
Probable Candidates.
David Lloyd George, president of the
board of trade, is still a hot favorite
for the chancellorship, although Mr.
Haldane, who shares the liberal i'm
perialist tendencies of Mr.. Asquith. is
understood to be candidate for the
same portfolio. There is no hurry,
| however, about the various assign
ments, as Mr.. Asquith will retain the
CHARACTERISTIC until the budget has
been introduced after the Easter recess.
/ Should MIR. Birrell, the chief secretary
/ for Ireland, be slated for a change of
/ office, il is an open secret that John
Burns. now president OF the local gov
| eminent board, would be quite content
| TO replace Mr.. Birrell as head of the
/ Irish office.
Harcourt viii Be Included.
! It seems quite likely that Lewis Har-
! court, who is considered something OF
an American because of his American
mother and wife, will be included in
/ the new cabinet. and the name of
/ Winston Churchill also figures in most
of the new cabinet lists. The elevation
of Churchill would involve an election
4 from the Manchester constituency,
with considerable possibility of defeat,
and it would necessitate finding a rad
! ical complacent enough TO give up
safe seat to which Churchill could be
| elected.
| Apart from forecasting the new cab
/ met, the discussion in the house of
commons lobby today turned chiefly on
the probable effect OF Campbell Ban
nerman's retirement on the ministerial
coalition It is undisputed that the ex-
I
bond holding together the influential
but somewhat discordant elements
which have been in power up TO this
time.
Liberal Leaders Satisfied.
| The libersa leaders appear to be quite
well satisfied with the situation. but
some of them question the power of
such an imperialst as Asquith to keep
Ill. LII H.
ing away from all allegiance to the
governments coalition. On the other
hand, Timothy Healy's denunciation of
Mr. Asquith's attitude during the re-
cent home rule debate in the house of
commons appears to foreshadow a dan
gerous tension to the rather slender
bond which attaches the Irish national
lists to the existing administration.
Cheers for asquith.
The house of commons was crowded
this afternoon when Mr.. Asauith rose
to make his address. The premier-elect
[ was greeted with hearty cheers as he
began to speak.
''Since the house rose on Friday"
said Mr.. Asquith, ''the king has been
pleased to accept the resignation OF
the prime minister and the government
now is without a head. This is not the
occasion when it would be possible or
| appropriate to do justice to the great
! qualities OF our revered and trusted
chief, or 10 enlarge upon his long and
| splendid services TO the state For the
moment / will not trust myself TO do
more than to say that in the annals
/ OF our history there Is no man who
after long years spent in the thick of
public contention, has ever laid down
the highest office under the crown more
universally and deservedly beloved.
There is not a single man in any quar-
! ter of this house who does not feel that
| this is a personal loss"
Adjournment Proposed.
Mr.. Asquith went on to state that II
was clear public business could not
proceed effectively at this time and he
propose the house adjourn until April
"a, at which time, after the transaction
of formal business. it would readjourn
/ for the Easter recess.
Mr. Balfour and Mr.. Redmond Joined
in feeling tributes to the retiring pre-
mier. Mr.. Redmond emphasized the
special bereavement of Ireland, SAYING
that in Campbell Bannerman's disap-
| pearance Ireland suffered a loss second
| only to the loss caused by the retire
ment of Gladstone.
| There is not an Irish nationalist in
any part of the world" said Mr.. Red
nond. who will not deeply deplore
that this consistent, brave, honorable
son of Ireland has been taken from the
arena of public life.5
| Mr.. Asquith's proposal was then
adopted and the house adjourned.
Views of Irish Leaders.
! Mr. Redmond and other Irish leaders
said this afternoon that they thought
there was no chance for a change in
the Irish secretaryship, and that Mr..
Birrell would be left I'm charge until
after the hearing of the Irish university
scheme. Mr.. Moreley, who naturally
had first claim for choice of portfolios.
and who was thought to have a han
kering for the chancellorship of the ex-
| chequer is now said TO have definitely
renowned all claim to that position
Late today it became known that Mr..
Asouith had definitely arranged to
start for BiarritZ tonight where he Will
confer with King Edward.