The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-01-27
LLoYp.eEoReE
RULING ENGLAND.

in the British Isles are unaware that
Mr.. Lloyd-George has gone on holi-
day on the Continent, but it is safe
to say that not one in 100000 is aware
where Mr.. Asquith, the premier, is
spending the Parliamentary recess.
Hardly a day in the past fortnight .
has passed without Mr.. Lloyd-George /
having a prominent place in the col
umns of the newspapers, while since
December 20 Mr. Asquiths name has
not been mentioned in the Times.
The Rev. DR.. Clifford and the Union |
lists Standard have both referred to
the Chancellor as King George" |
While one reference was a iibe, the |
other was intended to be tribute
to "a king among men,"
Newspaper publicity, of course,
does not mean everything but it is
significant of much in this case. Mr..
Lloyd-George, rather than Mr..
>Asquith, is the man in the public eye.
To the popular mind, the party, and
ministry now in power are Lloyd
Georges party, Lloyd-Georges min.
istry, not Asquith's.
Mr.. Asquith has been showed into
the background, as probably no Brit
ish premier was ever put before by
his Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord Morley's statements in the
House of Lords respecting the Moroc-
CO affair showed how Lloyd-George
had his way in the matter of his
Guildhall declaration, and throughout
the Chancellor's speeches generally
there runs a note of personal authori-
tativeness which, his critics say,
clearly indicates his opinion that his
word is law in the councils of the
cabinet.
Some months ago your correspond
ent described a situation which, there
was reason to suppose, would develop
into the suppression of Mr. Asquith
by Lloyd-George in the Premiership.
Events have marched since then, and
Awhat, in some quarters, was regarded
as barely possible is now considered,
in all, to be strongly possible. In
fact, l am assured by a competent
authority that the change would, in
all likelihood, have taken place be,
fore now had not Mr.. Asquith's health
shown remarkable improvement, thus
depriving those wire-pullers who are
furthering Mr. Lloyd-George's ambi
tions of one of their strongest argI
ments.
Among them, curiously enough, i
the Premiers wife. Mrs. Asquith nov
hardly makes any secret of her desire
that her husband shall resign thu
Premiership and the Lord Presidenc,
of the Council, for which he draws {
salary of $4,000 a year, and accep
the Lord High Chancellorship, whicl
carries a salary of twice that amount
and, what is more, a pension o
$4,000. Mr.. Asquith is not wealthy
and Mrs. Asquith is alarmed at tn
possibility of the wolf making its al
pearance at her door. In the even
of her husband having to leave ottic
he, or course, would be entitled to
Apension, but no office carries such
big pension as that of Lord Hig
Chancellor.
Beside, Mr.. Asquith's acceptance {
the post would necessitate his prone
ton to the House of Lords, and Mr.
Asquith is not averse to titular di
tinction. Her wishes, some polite;
prophets are saying, may be gratifie
very quickly.
The Cabinet is hopelessly split owe
the woman's suffrage question, an
even a Liberal paper like the Yves
minister Gazette admits that it WI
be difficult to maintain government
harmony when the members of Il
Ministry are engaged in a hot cal
paign for and against the extensiC
of the vote to women.
Against the vote are Mr.. Asquit
Mr.. Harcourt, Mr.. Samuel, Lord Cha
cellor Loreburn, Mr.. McKenna, N
Hobhouse and Lord Pentland, and {
it are Mr.. Lloyd-George, Sir Edwa
Grey, Lord Haldane, Mr.. Burns, n
Birrel, Mr.. Buxton, Mr.. Rouncima
Lord Morley, Mr.. Churchill, 10
Beauchamp and Mr.. Pease, wi
Lords Crewe and Darlington doubt
At present the idea is that the M
listers should follow their individl
opinion as to the proposed wOma
suffrage amendment to the electr'
reform bill, which the government
going to introduce in Parliament.
Lloyd-George will support the anne
msnt. Mr.. Asquith win oppose it
Outside of Parliament differen,