The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-27

LONDON March 2T.--The grave
political crisis so far as II affects the
present governments retention in OF
flee has rot developed materially in
the pasr tyser.ty-fonr hours, except as
the criticisms of the extremists have
become less audible the governments
position has become eorrespondingP
more secure.
II Ia obvious that the opposition
cannot turn out the cabinet, which,
apart from the detection in its own
ranks. can. within constitutional linn
its. fix its own date for retirement,
For the purpose of pacifying the OBJ
iecfors still further or. according 20
some reports owing to the war min
%.stcr's own insistenee, there Is a
practical certainty that the govern
ment will find another post for Colo
mel j. f. r.. seeiy.
The most favored speculation is
that he will change posts with Hon
orable Lewis Harcourt, secretary OF
state fer the colonies Another IL
that John Burns. president Of the
hoard of trade, who is much inter
ested in military matters, viii go 10
the war Office. a third ia thar sec
r~tarv af War Secly will quit the
4 cabinet altogether. and that fonora-
bic Lewis Hareourt will succeed nun
| while Baron Emmett, under-secre.
tarv OF state. for the colonies, VIII
succeed Mr.. Harcourt-
Other designations.
Meanwhile, another military crisis
has started up through the resEna-
ticna Of Field Marshal Sir John
French. and Lieutenant General sir
John S. Ewart. the adiutant general
This was predicted to happen when
they learned of the awkward posi-
ton in which they were placed oS
fh~ governments reputation or the
nledre they gave to Brigadier Cen
cral Cough, commander OF the 1hiru
cavalry brigade at the Curragn' ihal
the army in ireland would not De
used against Ulster
PREMIER Asauith intended to make
4 statement in regard 70 TINS TINS n l.,aa1.
a the close of last nights sitting
~ the house of commons. but post
rnned II until midday today. Inc
nutrnme cannot be indicated
THE government did its utmost
khro,,rhort Yesterday to induce the
surn ofFicers to reconsider their de-
Irintons, and II was rumoreu iate last
.trht that these efforts had been SIC
csaful, but this could not be coh'fth-
Meeting Deep Rooted.
N tfhe officers were not persuaded
- right the efforts to induce them
3 remain at their posts will be re-
,evrod today, for the government Is
1nosk anxious to avert the disastrous
n1Yecte which their retirement might
have ON the army. 1t Is generally be-
ioved that II the two officers insist on
e16rning a large number Of the high
~ military posts Will be immediately
1arated by their present holders.
n il reported. but without confirma-
taons mat several officers holding the
last named posts. have already re-
aixned, particularly at Aldershot- Field
MaYshal SIR John Frerlch's retirement
would be especially regretted, and the
efforts TO persuade him 70 remain nave
been almost frantic
Lord Haidane. the lord high chan
cello. and Secretary of War Seely,
arro1r others had him in private corr
vernation. and afterwards the field
40 rShal went to the house of com.
mons. where further pressure was
brought on him to withdraw his resiE-
nation. Still later he was received by
the king. who probably added his per-
ruasion to that of the others.
NothinE further Is expected to be
known until Premier Asquith makes
his statement in the house of COM
mons today.
The conference yesterday by the dis
trict commanders with the army
council was kept secret 1t IS not
known even v ny they We're summoned,
81 what they did. The military cor
respondent OF the Daily Telegraph
eays:
Can Count On No Regiment.
ssIsha commanders warned the army
kcouncif that dangerous evaporation
aeainst the supposed intentions of he
xovernment toward Ulster exists in the
army. and no regiment can be counted
VI 10 Tight OF, the liberal side n the
event or civil war"
This reads like an ex paffc assump-
kfiell. and ii is incredible that any COM
nandlers talked to anyone.
The anxiety Of the government to
e4nin Field Marshal SIR John French
rejected In the Liberal morning
SnneYr which write In fuisome terms
"a sth4 .apap1rjel nhief Qf STAT I'll q
TIC talk az the approaching els.