Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-27
Withdrawal of
 designations
FRENCH AND EWART URGED TO
 RECONSIDER.
WILL SACRIFICE SHELLY
Secretary of War to Be Removed (,
 Plaeate Field Marshal and Adiutsrt
 Generai-caAaIry Officers obdurste.

oeherai-CsAairy Officers Obdurste.
 London. March 26.-That the sov extreme difficulty is proved by the Iact that Premier Asquith was not in a position tonight to make his pron- 1sed statement in parliament and 1t was consequently postponed until to- morrow.
 Resignation of Field Marshal.
 The air is full of extravagant ru- nlors' among the most credible being the report that Colonel Seely is after. all. to quit the war office, by an ex- change of portfolios with Lewis Hsr- court, secretary for the colonies The only new facts in the situation today were to be found in the resignation or Field Marshal Sir John French, chief or the imperial general staff and Sir John Spencer Swart, adjutant zen. eral, rom the army council
 The rumor persists that other nen- bers or the army council have re- signed. but this cannot be confirmed.
 designations Withdrawn.
 Negotiations and conferences be- tween Buckingham Palace. the war of- flee and Downing street were car ried on throughout the day and if wa, known that the strongest efforts were being made to induce Field Marshal French and General Ewart to recon slider their action. The prime min tster called a hurried meeting of the cabinet at his residence after it was decided to postpone the statement to parliament
 At midnight Field Marshal French authorized the statement that his rea- ignation had neither been accepted nor withdrawn.
 SeeIy Must Retire.
 Nothing is likely to be known oM- cia1ly until Premier Asquith makes his statement in the house of com mons, when it will probably be found that the removal Of Colonel Seely from the war office is the price for the with drawal of the resignations of Generals French and Ewart and that the ar- engagement of this matter was the req son for the postponement of the pre- mfers statement.
 According to the best information. the conference at the war offlcs this afternoon of all the principal com manding generals of the army was called to enable Generals French and Ewart to explain that their resigna- ton was a personal matter arising solely from the fact that they signed the Cough memorandum. which the government had since repudiated, and they urged that all their officers should remain at their posts.
 Seely to Be Sacrificed.
 Then followed interviews with tho ministers and an audience with th4 king, with a view to inducing them to reconsider their action. But both gen. firm in their decision that it would be impossible for them to retain theiY posts while Colonel SeeIy remained secretary of war. They were willing, however, to withdraw their reGgna- tions if Colonel Seely was removed.
 Aa-g knowledge that a strong feeling against Colonel Seely existed among a iArgS section of the radical supporters of the government, the prime minister seems to have arrived at the conciu- sion that he must abandon Colonel the ministry has caused the delay In MT. Asquith's statement. There has been talk of appointing Judge Burns who Is now president of the local gov report has also been current of aR exchange of portfolios between Lewis Harcourt and Colonel Seely.
 Other Changes Probable.
 It is generally believed. however. that it will be found that Colonel Seely hax again resigned and his resignation has been accepted: that Lewis Harcourt that Lord Emmet, under-secretary for the colonies. will be promoted to the colonial office
 Another cabinet council will be held Friday before parliament assemblies; so it is quite possible that there will be other, perhaps unexpected changes in the kaleidoscopic situation.
 Quiet in Ireland
 In Ireland no change has occurred. Belfast remains quiet and although 1t is asserted that the officers at the Curragh camp are determined to re- sign because of the repudfa ton of Colonel Seely's guarantee by the gov ernment no actual resignations, SO far as is known, have occurred
 Officers Persist in Resisnins-
 Dublin, March 26-A majority ef