The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-04
IsQuHH ASSUMES NEW DUTIES
ACCEPTS PORTFOLIO OF WAR
WHEN SEEIY RESIGNS.
Refusal OF French and Ewart to
Withdraw designations Causes Min
istcr of War to Follow Suit-Mor-
ley Expected to Go Also-Englisl,
Premier Said to BE in Fighting
Mood.

"'""y soiu'ohs OF the government
crisis. which had been proposed and
discussed. Premier Asquith announced
a solution to the house OF commons
today which none OF the prophets had
suspected or even expected. The
premier himself will assume the bur-
den OF the war office in addition to his
other and almost crushing duties. He
will resign from the house at this
critical stage. when the second read
ing OF the home rule bill for Ireland
In about 20 be taken up and will
appear for reelection before his con-
stitutents in East Fife. Scotland. with
In few days.
Field Marshal Sir John French,
chief OF, the imperial general staff,
and Gen. Sir John Ewart. adjutant
general, declined to withdraw their
resignations in spite of the army or
der issued Friday which viscount
Haldans cleverly framed as a plat
form on. which the generals might
stand with consistency and honor.
IL thus became impossible for Col
j. T.. II. seely. who is cosigner with
them OF the assurance to- Brig Gen.
Cough that the army would not be
used 90 suppress tho Ulster opposi-
ton to home rule. to retain the sec
retaryship OF war. His resignation,
therefore. was accepted. after he had
been for some days under fire from
the newspapers of his own party
which insisted that nc must go.
Viscount OF Morley OF Blackburn,
lord president OF the council. who was
partner with Col. Secly in drafting
the offending paragraphs of the doc
ument, stands In the same position
and his withdrawal from office Is ex-
pected tomorrow.
These were events In today's chapter
Of the continued story which is keep
Ing the country at the highest pitch
Of excitement and suspense. The pres
snt situation Is remarkable in that
the government nominally will be
without a prime minister and without
n leader In the house OF commons un-
til the by-election is held in Eas,
Fife. The writ for the election must
give eight days notice and probably
will he issued tomorrow.
The only practical loss to the party
meantime will be the withdrawal of
Mr.. Asquith's voice from the debates.
be will preside over the cabinet meet
ings and direct manoeuvrcs i'm the
house OF commons from an unofficial
seat, while Reginald McKenna, the
home secretary, and Winston Spencer
Churchill. first lord of the admiralty,
will understudy him rs house leader.
"Oh, I'll be handy IL I'm wanted
MIR. Asquith remarked To Andrew Boz
mar LAW. the opposition leader, who
thought that the home rule bill could
not be proceeded with in the absence
Of the premier.
Mr.. Asquith apparently consulted
NO one except the king before his
bold decision. His colleagues I'm the
cabinet seemed to be as surprised as
the other members OF the house when
he revealed his plans. Mr. Asquith
already Is first lord OF the treasury,
which office he will continue to hold.
III he had merely shifted from one
Office to another. the resignation of
his scat In the house OF commons
would not have been necessary, but
ne said that he had been legally ad-
Nised that the acceptance OF IAN Of
nee of profit under the crown" i'm the
words OF the statute. ncccssitated a
new election, although ne will take
only one salary. $4,000.
Gladstone took two Offices under
similar circumstances. accepting tho
salary Of ono and half the salary of
the other. amounting To S37.5OO. but
did not consider "a reelection ncces-
sary.
The political seers gathered that
Mr.. Asquith is In fighting mood.
They have been saying recently TINT
no had shown the effects by his
physical appearance of tho heavy
strain Of his long labor In Office and
would gladly see the government de-
featcd. But II looks at the present mo-
ment as though he had taken "a new
lease OF life and proposes to- make
the reorganization Of the army q
nghting issue.
The whole army system may have
TO DO rocast." Col. Secly remarked
significantly today. The first business
VIII be To find ~ successor To Sir
John French, whose withdrawal leaves
great void at the war office. The