The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-04-02
ASOUITH RETIRES
TO STEIN CRISIS
Premier Seeks Approval Of His
Constituents
TAKES WAR SECRETARY JOB

sht6O Hhat O%SttA MIL JUL
Asquith's Move Is Considered a Wise
Ore as Army Crisis Can Now Be
Allowed to Lay Dormant Pending
Premier's Return to Parliament by
VoteTs-Premier Win Be Away Two
Weeks.
London, March 31-Sensation fol
lows sensation in the political crisis.
OF all the amazing happenings o. the
last few days none has so thoroughly
electrified parliament or the country
as Premier Asquiths dramatic an
nounCement that he had decided TO
assume the duties oc the war Office
for time. Colonel Seely has recent
ly vacated the Office.
He added that, as provided by law.
he would retire from the house Of
commons until his constituents in
East Fife reelected him.
The premier's action is considered
an adroit move and will help to tide
over difficult situation. The GOV
eminent will thereby get some days
OF breathing spell in the house where
every Opposition question can be mex
with the answer that nothing can be
settled in Asquith's absence.
The premier's absence from parlia-
ment will not be longer than two
weeks. His reelection for the Scot
fish division he has represented ever
since he entered parliament is regard
ed certain.
The decision of the premier was I'M
expected. It momentarily over.
Swallowed the retirements of Colone
Seely, Field Marshal French and Adj
jutant General Ewart. Politicians,
however, were brought back to the
original cause of the ministerial crisis
by the admissions of Viscount Morley
in the house Of lords, which confirmed
many Unionist charges, and gave the
intimatiOn that Viscount Morley him
self intended to retire from politics.
Sir John French, chief of the i'm
perial general staff of the British
army. and Sir John Ewart, adjutant
general to the forces. definitely re-
si@ncd from the service.
Colonel Seely's RESIGNATION has
been accepted" This was the
eurhemistic expression employed bv
Premier Asouith in announcing to the
house Of commons that his war sec
retary had paid the penalty Of his in
discretions in adding to a cabinet
document the two paragraphs which
have aroused such feeling as to
threaten the existence Of the entire
cabinet
Premier Asquith's further announce
ment that he himself would take up
the portfolio of secretary for war
came in the nature of a surprise He
declared he would retire from the
house of commons, in accordance with
the law until it pleases my. ccrstitr-
ents to sanction my return"
The premier then dramatically
walked out of the chamber amid
cheers from the Liberals. the Nation,
alists and the Labor members, the
whole body of whom rose to their feet
and waved handkerchiefs and papers
as he left
Mr.. Asquith, 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 votes
against $3.50 of his Unionist OPP
ponent.
In a brief personal statement
Colonel Seely told the house there
was no differences between himse1'
and his colleagues in the cabinet N
any point of policy or principle. He
said he had pressed his resignation
because there appeared. although such
was not his intention, to have been
a bargain with the army officers re-
garding the service they should
render to the crown. Neither had Sir
John French nor Sir John Ewart the
intention of making such a bargain.
Andrew Bonar Law, leader of the
opposition. thought it would be impos-
sible 10 proceed with the Irish home
rule bill in the absence of the premie".
but Premier AsQuith remarked that
he would he at hand if advice was
wanted ard then left the house, of
which Reginald McKenna. the home
secretary. assumed the leadership.