The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-01
ENGLAND AWAITS CRISIS.
HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT PRE-
PARES FOR BATTLE DURING
THIS WEEK.
Feeling Runs High and Leaders Lend
Earnest Efforts to Solve COmpli-
Gated Problems Even Suffrage
Question Is Being Ignored by Ha-
rassed Statesmen.

London, March 2S.-What has been
pronounced "the greatest crisis for
craftsmanship in three hundred years
was simmering over Sunday. Both
houses of Parliament Monday will
train their heaviest guns on the whole
complicated affair. Passions are run
ming high and country houses, where
politicians customarily spend the
weekend, are deserted
Party leaders are comforting in
LONDON and urgent summonses have
been sent to all members to attend.
If the outcome of the crisis is to be
6 general election in the near future
the radical wing of the Liberal party
will form a close alliance with the
Labor party, the coalition crystaliz-
ing its platform into the battle cry,
Tho aristocrats against the people,"
Premier Asquith announced army
order today which generally is con-
sidered to have been intended as O
sort of charter on which Field Mar
shal French and Gen. Ewart might
be induced to repain in their po-
sitions. Col. Seelys tenure in the Of
flee of the war ministry seems des-
tined To he Of short continuance. The
Westminster Gazette and the Daily
Chronicle, foremost among Liberal
papers. are saying that Col. Seely
must relinquish his portfolio. The
name OF John Burns is discussed most
often as his probable successor.
That democratic government
could be carried to such lengths as to
give supervision of the army into the
hands Of the sturdy character who
camc into the limelight first as a Ia
Dor agitator would have been un-
thinkable decade ago. Yet a recog-
milton Of the soldier on the same plane
with his officer, in the charter rights
and duties which the government
proclaimed today. Is long step to-
wards the same levelling of the class
es.
The Panama debate at Washington
which ordinarily would have been
read here with equal interest to that
which it cxcites in the United States,
is passing almost unnoticed in the ex-
citement over the crisis, and even
the suffragettes are being ignored.
The kings actions and attitude
during the crisis gradually are becom-
ing known. Radical and Laborite at
tacks on the king for his alleged in
reference in politics have subsidized.
The king followed his ministers ad-
vice from the beginning of home rule
controversy. While maintaining i'm
partiality. apparently he had person.
al leaning toward home rule. The
king and the members OF his court
were Outspoken i'm condemning Sir
Edward Carson for organizing the
Ulster volunteer army, and resented
his act in reviewing the volunteers as
though they were q regular military
body. and in assuming prerOgatives,
by reason OF which the Liberals nam
ed him king Carson"
Such an offence. as Gen. Sir Robert
Baden-Powell discovered when he
placed his portrait on postage stamps
during the siege Of Mafeking. is an
objectionable sin i'm the eyes of the
court.
While Premier Asquith and Col.
Sccly recently were closctcd with the
king. Major Gen. Sir William II. Rob-
ertson. director of military training at
the war Offices, accompanied by col
league, visited the palace, according
To reliable information, and asked to
be admitted to the conference on
urgent business.
The request was granted, and the
officers announced that they and a
majority OF the staff officers would
resign Immediately unless the govern
ment made its peace with the Cur
ragh officers.
Premier Asquith's conciliatory
statement to the Times, the first in
tcrvicw which the premier has grant
cd i'm office, was the result of the i'm
preston that this ultimatum had been
delivered.