Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-03-27
CABINET fall
IS IMMINENT
Asquith Said to Have Whip
Handle, But Crisis Still
Exists.
PREMIER IS SILENT
Hurried Conference Among Leaders
Result in no Outward Change in
The Situation in Ulster.

London. March 27.-When the
House of Commons convened today,
Premier Asquith had still failed to
solve the problem of meeting the sec
ond crisis faced by his cabinet with
in a week. Field Marshall Sir John
French, chief of the general staff, and
Adiutant Sir John Spencer Ewart
were staining firm in their deterrll-
nation to retire from the service as
a result of the governments repuala-
ton of the note they initiated with
War Minister Seely, assuring General
Cough that his command would no.
be forced to serve in Ulster.
The statement which the Premier
has promised to make to the House
of Con,rpns as to the commanding
officers was postponed for third
time. It was expected last night, but
was put over until today. When the
commons convened, the cabinet was
still in session. It was then said the
Asquith statement might be expected
shortly afternoon, but announcement
was made that it had been postponeH
until 5 o'clock.
In the lobbies of the House of Com
mons there was the l:veliest Specula-
tion as to whether the further post
nonempnt of the Asquith statement
foireshadowed the fall Of the cabinet.
The belief was escgeessea .by nsa7+
that failure to bring about a settle
ment of the new army tangle would
mean the dissolution Of the cabinet.
Asquith called a special meeting OF
the cabinet early today, to agaln
take up the resignation of Gen. sil
John French and General Ewart. Soor
after the cabinet session opened Gen
French was sumnoned to Downing
street, supposedly by the premier: Hf
declared that his resignation ha1 beer
neither accepted nor withdrawn, an'
that he hsl1 every intention OF retir
ing! i, ~
There was wide variety Of re
ports in circulation as to the course
the premier might take in meeting
the crisis. One report was that wal
Secretary Seely would surely be sac
r;fced in order to retain GENERA
French. - z - =,
After an extended session the full
cabinet meeting adjourned anl' Colone
seely and General French were lef'
closited with Asquith. 1t was believ'
cd that upon this conference hinges
the outcome of the entire affair
Colonel Seely showed his: willingness:
"wednesday, to shoulder entire respon
sibility for the Cough treaty. and
second submission Of his resignation
would not cause any surprise.
Thai the government is still facin'
situation Of s$eixtsat'e; difficulty: i
proved by the fact that Premier As ::
sn;+h was rot in a position last nigf
to make his Promised statement a..
Parliament, .anl it was consequent
nostponed until today.
The affair is full of extravaga'
rumors, among the most credible D.
ING the report that Colonel seeiy' !
after all, to quit the War once I
an exchange of portfolios with Lew
Warcourt, Secretary for the colonle
The only new facts in the situa'i'
today were to be found in the resi-
nation of Field Marshal Sir 'ot
French, chief of the Imperial Gene
al Staff. and Sir John Spencer E"@'
Adiu.ant General from the Arm
Council. The rumor2 persists th'
other members of the Army Co""
have resigned, but this cannot De co
frmed ,oAA'. :,
Negotiations and conferences - I
twee IN Buckingham Palace, the "
Of6ce, and Downing street, were CO
ried on throughout the day, an1' 1t w
known that the strongest efforts we
being made to induce FieE1 Marst
French and General Ewart to recc
slider their action. The Prime NJ
;ster called a, hurried meeting of
cabinet at his residence after it "
decided to postpone the statems
to Paridatent.
Later it wsS announced with