The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-03-30
designations ..SeeIey, French and
Ewart, Who Urged Such Ac-
ton, Are Accepted
DRAMATIC SCENE IS ENACTED
Announcement Is Received With
Wild Enthusiasm Retains
the Premiership

London, March SO-Col Seelcy, sec
retary Of war, resigned from the Brit
ish cabinet today. His resignation was
accepted.
Premier Asquith himself has decided
to take the secretaryship OF war i'm
place Of COL Seeley.
Sir John French. chief imperial gen.
eral of the staff Of the British army
and Sir John Ewart adju'ahJ general
Of the forces, definitely resigned from
the service today.
"Seeleys resignation has been ac-
cepted," was the eupnemstic EXPIRES
sion by Premier Asquith, announcing
in the Commons today that the war
secretary had paid the penalty for his
indiscretion in adding TO a cabinet
document two paragraphs which
aroused such feeling as TO threaten the
existence of the entire cabinet.
The two paragraphs were these Civ
ing guarantees to Brig General Cough.
and the officers under him i'm Ireland,
that thcy would not be called upon
lfor active service against the Ulster
| Unionists. Later the repudiation of
these guarantees by the cabinet was
taken as a rebuff by Field Marshal
French and Adjutant General Ewart.
The two generals Immediately refused
Their designations were made definite
today.
Asquiths further announcement that
he. himself would take the portfolio of
war came in the nature OF "a surprise.
He declared he would retire from the
House of Commons, in accordance with
| law. until it pleoses my constituency
to sanction my return
The premier then dramatically
walked out of the chamber, amid the
frantic cheers of Liberals Nationalists
and labor members, all Of whom rose
and waved handkerchiefs and papers.
Must Be Re Elected.
Asquith, having accepted an office
OF profit under the crown" must return
20 his constituency in Scotland FOR re-.
election.
The chamber was crowded when As
quith made his promised statement ON
the army crisis He said that French.
Ewart and Seeley persisted i'm their
desire To be relieved o. their offices. In
the public interest he deeply deplorcd
the action of the officers. and he could
not speak too gratefully of their 10y
atty and ability with which they scry-
ed the state ad army, and will, NE hope
ed, continue 20 serve. Then sprang the
sensation.
In the circumstances l fell it my
duty TO assume the office OF secretary
of war; although I have taken the
step witch the greatest reluctancy, i'm
what l believe to be great public
| emergency"
The announcement was complete
surprise on every band Members ou
the ministerial side momcntarily were
struck dumb. They then jumped on
their seats and broke out i'm wild hur-
! rahs.
| The premier announced that French
and Evart and asked him to say that
they were i'm entire accord with As
quths statement i'm the House Fri
day. Tho premier said King George APP
proved his assumption of the war Of
Zee.
In his speech. Seeley said
Grave issues have been raised which
may mean that the whole army system
may have to be rccast.'
Ministerial cheers greeted The re-
mark, which was Interpreted as sus-
gesting the decentralization of the ar
my.
The resignation OF Viscount Morley
as president of the council is generally
expected He was associated with
Seelcy in drawing up the offending
| paragraphs Of the memorandum Co tho
officers.
LLOYD George Missed In Debate.
Lloyd George. chancellor of the EN-
chequor, is 'li He was unable to par
ucipate in the critical discussion i'm
the House of Commons today on the
situation brought about by the resig-
nation af army officers in Ulster. His
debating power is regarded is great
asset Ivy the government
NINE HlIRT IN COLLISION