The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-03-30
Colonel Seely Refuses to
Wit h d raw Resignation,
While General Ewart and
Marshal French Stand Pat.
LONDON ASTONISHED
OVER SUDDEN MOVE
Dramatic Resignation of Pre-
mier Causes Sensation
Churchill May Succeed to
Post Over George.
HERBERT TEMPLE LONDON.

HERBERT TEMPLE LONDON.
LONDON, March 3O.-Premier AS
quith today took over the duties Of
minister of war in his cabinet, and re-
signed from parliament to stand for
reelection. This is in accordance with
the law that requires member OF
parliament assuming a new office to
go before his constituents for ap-
proval.
The dramatic elimination of the
army and navy c.isis was announced
by a member of the house of COM
mons today after he had stated that
his efforts to induce Colonel J. E. B.
Seeley, minister of war, to withdraw
his resignation had failed. He also
announced that General Ewart and
Field Marshal French had refused to
consider their designations.
The premier eulogized both French
and Ewart, and said that he deeply
deplored the decision of Colonel See
ley.
King George Approves.
"I therefore feel it my duty to as
sumo the secretaryship of state for
war" the premier announced. He
added that his action had been ap-
proved by King George, and that he
had taken this important step in de-
ference to public interest, but that he
would be close at hand at the second
reading of the home rule bill. This
measure come up tomorrow.
Though Premier Asquith resigned
his place in parliament by assuming
the position of war minister, he still
retains his post Is head of the gov
ernment. 1t is not necessary for the
premier to be a member of the house
of commons. He will still direct the
program of his ministerial colleagues,
though another minister will have to
serve as cabinet spokesman until AS
quith is reelected.
1t is proba BILE that Winston Spencer
Churchill, first lord of admiralty, will
have that post, thought the radicals
are anxious to have Lloyd George,
chancellor of the eXchequer, chose.
The excitement over the dramatic
resignation of the premier was not
confine to parliament. 1t caused a
tremendous sensation throughout the
city, where such a startling develop
ment had not been forecasted even
by the widest rumors.
Vigorous steps were taken by the
Liberal ministry today to end the
suspense over the army crisis. A long
session of the cabinet was held at
which the army and Ulster situations
were discussed at length.
The chief efforts of the members
of the cabinet were directed today to-
ward quieting public clamor before to-
morrow, when the home rule bill will
be up for second reading in the house
of commons.
The parliamentary week beginning
today is one of the most important in
the political history of the United
Kingdom.
Leaders of the opposition party pre-
pared to open another bitter attack
upon the government in a final effort
to force out the cabinet and kill the
home rule bill.
The Liberals will die hard. If the
tories are victorious in their effort
to bring about a general election. the
Liberals will make their fight on the
slogan: "The people vs.. the army"
They will charge that the Unionists
and army officers plotted to bring
about the downfall of the government