The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-03-30
.AsQu|IH MADE
CLEVER MOVE
Accepts Seely's Resignation as
War Secretary and
Takes the Job
Himself.
AND QUITS PARLIAMENT
Coupe May Settle Army TaneIe and
Bring About Harmony
Instead Of
Discord.

LONDON, March 3O.-Ono or the
most adroft moves in the history of
English politics was made by Pre-
mier AsQuith today when he accepted
the resignation of Colonel J. E. B.
Seely, war secretary, assumed the
portfolio himself and then oy a clever
manuever made 1t possible for him to
go before the country for endorsement
on his cabinets policy on home rule
without the entire ministry resign
ing.
The unexpected manner IN which
the premier met the opposition's at.
| tempts to overthrow his government
as result Of the army tangle threw
the coalition forces intoap osp1 frenzy aGn,i 9, y
did announce that Field Marshal Sir
John French and General John Spenc-
er Ewart stood firm in their intention
to resign. Failure to placate these
offices following the reputation
Of the war councils note to General
Cough giving guarantee that his
troops would not be expected to fight
Ulster, made drastic action necessary
to save the cabinet. Their refusal to
withdraw their designations even
with the acceptance Of t.. resigna-
tion Of seely brought matters to a
crisis. The premier faced open re-
volt in the house Of commons & rIfs
cabinet was on the verge os 1Issoli.l
TIN hut this isl>the MARI IN which
the .etirep,<nt or tne entire cabinet
will b. ><cided.
!! Asf1fth announced that he would
assyle the war office portfolio. that
he Iould resign his seat in parlia,
mf as a representative OF east Fife
an would then go tefore the people
ofis district for reelection as pre. /
1er and war. minister. AS the pre-
Jer is practically certain of re-elec-
pn, he can then secure the electoral |
ndorsement of the country for. his
administration without a dissolution.
indication Of the probable resigna-
ion OF Viscount Morley, lord presi.
lent of the council, was seen in the
ouse Of lords today. Lord Curzon
emanded to know why Morley had
OF resigned with seely and the latter
eplied that he would give his answer
omorrow. L
Premier Asquith calmly stated that
was not necessary for him to seek
e-electlon as he was merely exchang-
ls portfolio, but the astute dodge !
which he chose to go before the I
sople in his own district to obtain
1oorsement for his administrations,
eated the greatest sensation. AS g
70 liberal coalition force. realized S
e coup engineered by the premier, q
ey Jumped to their feet cheering. s.
his speech to commons,
'quith deni0red the -uecis:oa reached a.
General French, chief Of general n,
Ill., and General Ewa... He de- a,
lreo however. that the government to
y compelled to accept their resig- ~,
lions. He expressed the warmest =;
'titude OF ability, loyalty and de.
ion Of the two commanders to tho M
ny and expressed the nope that ~
y might continue in the service. -. "a
view OF circumstances, the premier az
he felt 1t his duty to assume the m ni'
ministry. He declared that King ~
rse has approved or his plan.
action Of Asquith In person. ma
taking over the war rort.
, is taken as an indication that he pa
lrmly determined no further war 81"
e orders in regard to Ulster shall 70
ssued without his knowledge. ope
'lonel Seely and other members Of OUT
war council signed the Cough hou
ty'' without the knowledge of the 1
r cabinet ministers. -
the premier left the commons ~
vas given a remark Bile ovation I'll
ne coalition forces. They iumped
benches. cheered. waved pspers
accorded him one or the sreates7
ever received. nv
let ohcer. 1t Is believed that
1th does not intend to return tn
commons again until after he is
scted. Until he returus Sir MTs
'rd Grey and Lloyd George. Y
eellor OF the exchequer, will
the liberal forces.
ring the coming deba:e on the
rule bill. however. leadership
rest entirely with Grey as Llovd
'e Is reported Ill at Walton-on- TUni
les, Surrey. The chancellor DE-
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