West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-04-02

Asquith's Move Is Considered a Wise
oae as Army Crisis Can Now q.
Allowed to lay Dormant Pending
Premier's Return TO Parliament by
voters-Premier VIII Be Away Two
Wseks.
London, March 3i.--Sensation fol
lows sensation In the political crisis.
or al the amazing Happenings o. the
last lew days none has 80 thoroughly
electrified parliament or the country
as Premier Asquith's dramatic an
nouncement that he had decided to
assume the duties of the war office
for time. Colonel Seeiy 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
ernnent will thereby get some DAYS
of breathing spell in the house where
every Opposition question can be met
with the answer that nothing can Se
settled in Asquith's absence.
The premier's absence from parlia
ment will not be longer than two
weeks. His reelection for the Scot
tish division he has represented ever
since he entered parliament is regard.
ed certain.
The decision of the premier was un
expected. 1t momentarily over
shadowed the retiremcnts OF Colonel
Seely, Field Marshal French and Ad-
jutant General Ewart. Politicians,
however. were brought back to the
original cause of the ministerial crisis
by the admissions OF Viscount Morley
I'm the house OF lords, which confirmed
many Unionist charges. and gave the
fntimation that Viscount Morley him
self intended to retire from politics.
Sir John French, chief OF the i'm
perial general stan OF the British
army, and Sir John Ewart, adjutant
general to the forces. definitely re-
signed from the service.
Colonel Seely's resignation has
been accepted" This was the
euphemistic expression employed by
Premier Asquith 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
fhot ho hfre, NoIy
the portfolio OF secretary for war
came in the nature OF surprise. He
declared he would retire from the
house OF commons, in accordance with
the law until IT pleases my constitu-
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 1880 OF his Unionist OPP
ponent.
In a b-ief personal statement
Colonel Secly told the house there
was no differences between himself
and his colleagues in the cabinet on
any point Of policy OF principle. He
said he had pressed his resignation
because there appeared. although such
was not his intention, to have been
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 bargain.
Andrew Bonar Law, leader OF the
opposition. thought II would be impos-
sible to proceed with the Irish home
rule bill In the absence of the premier.
but Premier AsquIth remarked that
he would be at hand II advice was
wanted and then left the house, of
which Reginald McKenna, the home
secretary. assumed the leadership.