Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-30

sEELY's RESIGNATION
ANNOUNCED TO COMMONS
Asauith Announces He 10 Forced to
Relieve Secretary For War Of Duties
and 70 Assume Post in Pres
ent Crisis-commons Give Premier
Ovation When Members Recover.

London, March 30.-Col. John Seely.
secretary for war. resigned his port
folio In the British cabinet today for
the second time, and his resignation
was accepted by the premier.
Premier Asquith himself decided TO
take the secretaryship of war In place
of Colonel Seely.
Sir John French. chief OF the imper-
ial general staff Of the British army.
and Sir John Ewart, adjutant general
to the forces definitely resigned from
the service today.
Colonel Seely's resignation has been
accepted" was the expression en-
ployed by Premier Asquith in an
nouncing in the house OF commons to-
day that his war secretary had paid
the penalty of his indiscretions in
adding to t. cabinet document the two
paragraphs which have aroused such
feeling as to threaten the existence OF
the entire cabinet.
The first information received by
members Of parliament that Colonsl
Seely had definitely retired from the
cabinet was when he entered the house
and cook a seat in back benches in
stead CT among his late colleagues.
Offending Paragraphs.
The two paragraphs which caused
the crisis were those giving guarantees
to Brig Gen. Hubert Cough and the
officers serving under him in Ireland
that they would not be called on for
active service against the Ulster
unionists. The later reputation of
these guarantees by the cabinet were
taken as rebuff by Sir John French,
virtual commander-in-ch OF the
army, and by Sir John Ewart, the ad-
jutant general to the forces. The two
generals Htmned lately resigned and all
efforts made by the king, the premier
and other ministers failed to induce
them to change their minds. Their
designations were made definite today.
Commons Cheer Asquith.
Premier Asquith's further announce
ment that he himself would take up
the portfolio Of secretary for war came
in the nature OF surprise. Having
announced his intention to sake up the
office, he declared he would retire from
the house OF commons in accord with
the law" until 1t pleases my constitu-
ents to sanction my return"
The premier then dramatically
walked out of the chamber amid
frantic cheers from the liberals. the
nationalists and the labor members.
the whole body Of whom arose to their
feet and waved handkerchiefs and
papers as he left.
Must Stand For Re- election.
Mr.. Aequith having accepted "an
"office Of profit" under the crown. must
now return to his constituency Of East
Fife, Scotland, for reelection. On the
last occasion he received 5.149, against
$3.50 Of his unionist opponent.
When Premier Asqu!th entered the
house today he was greeted with =
great ovation from the members of the
ministerial! side. He shortly after
ward rose before the crowded chamber
to make his promised statement on the
army crisis. The premier said:
after full consideration Field Mar
shal French and Adjutant General
Ewart have persisted In their desires
to be relieved Of their Offices. In the
public interest l deeply deplore the
decision of these gallant officers and
I can not speak too warmly or too
gratefully of their ability. loyalty and
devotion with which they have served
the state and army. and will. hope.
continue to serve
Creates Sensation.
The prime minister proceeded to tell
the house that Colonel Seely hat In
formed him, to his great regret, that
he felt bound to take the same course
and resigned from the secretaryship
for war.
Mr.. Asauith then sprang his sensa-
ton on the house. He said:
I'm the circumstances and after
much consideration I have felt 1t my
duty to assume the office of secretary
Of state for war, altho have taken the
step with the greatest reluctance in
what believe to be great public
emergency.
That this announcement was a COM
plete surprise was evident on every
side. Members OF the ministerial side
were momentarily struck dumb. Then
they sprang on seats and broke into
wild cheers.