The Detroit times., 1914-03-30
UNIONISTS Are
OUTWlTTED BY
ASQUlTH COUP
Premier Assumes War Ministry
on Seeley's Resignation-Will
Appeal To Country
ACTION WILL PREVENT
CABINET DISRUPTION
Reelection Will Mean Electoral
Endorsement without a
Dissolution

LONDON, March 30-One OF the
most adroit moves in the history OF
English politics was made by Premier
AsQuith today. when he accepted the
resignation Of Colonel ]. 4. B. Seely,
war secretary, assumed the portfolio
himself, and then. by clever
menoeuvre, made II possible for him
to 10 before the country for endorse
mcnt ON his cabinets policy on home
rule without the entire ministry re-
signing.
Indication of the probable resigna-
ton Of Viscount Morley, lord presi-
dent OF the council, was seen In the
house OF lords today Lord Curzon
demanded to know why Morley had
not resigned with Seely. and the latter
replied that he would give his answer
tomorrow.
The unexpected manner In which
tie premier met the opposition's at.
tempts to overthrow his government
as q result OF the army tangle, threw
the coalition forces into q frenzy OF
excited approval. even though AS
Quith did announce that Field Mar
shall Sir John French and General
John Spencer Ewart stood firm in
their intention to resign.
Failure to placate these officers, fol-
lowing the reputation OF the war
council note to General Cough. giving
q guarantee that his troops would not
be expected to fight Ulster. made
drastic action necessary to save the
cabinet.
Their refusal to withdraw their
destinations even with the accept
ance of the resignation Of Seely
brought matters to q crisis. The pre-
mier faced open revolt In the house
OF commons. His cabinet was on the
verge Of dissolution. but that Is the
manner In which the retirement OF
the entire cabinet will be avoided:
Asquith announced that he would
assume the war ONCE portfolio; that
he would resign his seat in parlia-
rient as q representative OF East
Fife, and would then 90 before the
people of his district for reelection
az premier and war minister.
AS the premier 10 practically Ger.
tain of reelection, he will then secure
the electoral endorsement of the
country for his administration with
out q dissolution.
Premier AsQuith calmly stated that
II was not necessary for him to seek
reelection, - he was merely ex-
changing . portfolio, but the astute
dodge by which he chose to 20 before
the people In his own district to OBJ
tain endorsement for his administra-
ton, created the greatest sensation.
A the Liberal coalition forces real
lied the coup engineered by the
premier. they jumped to their feet.
cheering.
In his speech to the commons. As
Quith deplored the decision reached
by Gen. French, chief Of the general
stan, and Gen. Ewart. He declared.
however, that the government was
compelled to accept their designations.
He expressed the warmest gratitude
for the ability, loyalty and devotion
of the two commanders to the army
and expressed the hope that they
might continue In the service.
In view of the circumstances, the
premier said he felt II his duty to as.
sumo the war ministry. He declared
that King George had approved OF his
plan. 1t was stated that Asquith
would retain his Office as first lord
OF the treasury as well as assuming
the war office portfolio.
The action of Asquith In per-
sonally over the war portfolio is
taken a. indication that he Is
firmly determined no further war
office orders In regard to Ulster
shall be issued without his knowl-
edge.
With the Ulster and army
tangle again scheduled to be
taken up by the cabinet and
parliament. today. reports from
Belfast today declare three uniform.
ed Ulster volunteers were attacked
by NatioDalists last night. Police
were summoned and the crowd dis.
persed, but not until after one of the
volunteers had been SO seriously In
jured that It was necessary to take
him to q hospital.