The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-04-02
PREMIER ASQUITH
SUCCEEDS SEELY
( AS WAR MINISTER

London. March 31.--Col. John Seely,
secretary or war. resigned his port
folio in the British cabinet today and
his resignation, was accepted by the
premier. ~. -.
Premier Asquith himself decideds to
take the ~secretaryship OF war in place
Of Colonel Seely.
Sir John French, chief of the i'm
perial general staff of the British army,
n Sir John Ewart, adjutant general
to the forces, definitely resigned from
the service today.
Seeiy Pays Penalty.
Colonel Seely's resignation has been
accepted, was the expression employed
by Premier Asquith in announcing in
the house Of today that his
war secretary had paid the penalty Of
his indiscretions in adding to a cabinet
document the two paragraphs which
have aroused such feeling as to
threaten the existence of the entire
| cabinet.
The first information received by
members of the parliament that Colonel
Seely had definitely retired from the
cabinet was when he entered the house
and took a seat on the back benches,
instead of among his colleagues. The
two paragraphs which caused the crisis
were giving guarantees to Brig. Gen.
Hubert Cough and the officers serving
| uIlueF nln III lTSIdnu IndL IHSy "oulu
not be called on for active service
against the Ulster unionists. The later
reputation of these guarantees by the
cabinet was taken as a rebuff by Field
Marshal Sir JOIN French, virtual COM
mander in chief Of the army, and by
Sir John Ewart, the adjutant general
to the forces.
Cheers for Asquith.
The two generals Immediately re-
| atorwA1 anI Ill AFfN-k, NanIn nv fhn
king, the premier and other ministers
failed to induce them to change their
minds.
Their designations were made def
mite today.
Premier Asquith's further announce
ment that he himself would take up the
portfolio Of secretary for wal came In
the nature Of a surprise. Having an
nounced his intention to take up the
office. he declared he would retire from
the house Of commons in accordance
with law until it pleases my constit-
uents to sanction my return
The premier hen dramatically
walked out Of the chamber amid fran
tic cheers from the liberals, the ma
tionalists and the labor members, the
whole body of whom rose to their feet
and waved handkerchief and papers
as he left.
Mr.. Asquith, having accepted an of
llSO vi putt utlhCl ilO NtcNh
10Y return to his CONTINGENCY of East
Fife, Scotland, for reelection. On the
last occasion he received 5.149 votes
against the 1850 Of his unionist oppon-
ent.
Given an Ovation.
When Premier Asquith entered the
house today he was greeted with a
| great ovation from the members Of the
ministerial side. He shortly afterward
rose before the crowded chamber to
make his promised statement on the
army crisis.
The premier said:
After full consideration Field Mar
shall French and Adjutant General
Ewart nave persisted in their desire to
be relieved Of their offices. In the
public interest, I deeply deplore the de-
cision of these gallant officers and can
not speak too warmly or gratefully of
the ability: loyalty and devotion with
which they ave served the state and
the army, and will. I hope, continue
to serve"
The prime minister proceeded to tell
the house that Colonel Seely had in
formed him to his great regret that he
| felt bound to take the same course and
| resign from tho scCretaryship for war.
Complete Surprise.
Mr.. Asquith then sprang his sensa-
| ton On the house. He said:
I'm the circumstances and after
much consideration. I have felt it my
duty to assume the office of secretary
Of state for war, although I have
taken the step only with the greatest
reluctance in what 1 believe to be a
| great public emergency"
That the pfemier's announcement
was q complete surprise was evident
on every hand. The members Of the
ministerial side Of the house were
struck dumb, but then they jumped up
on the seats and broke into wild hur-
rahs.