The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1914-04-01
ASQUITH QUITS
FOR TWO WEEKS
Takes Post Of War Secretary
For That Period
WANTS APPROVAL OF VOTERS
Another Sensation Is Added to Eng
lands Army Crisis When Premier
Announces Temporary Retirement.

London, March 81 A series of
sensations IN the house of commons
in connection with the army crisis
reached climax with the announce
ment by Premier Asquith that he
would assume the portfolio of secre-
tary of war vacated by Colonel Seely.
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 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 retirement3 of Color0l
Seely, Field Marshal French ard Ad.
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-
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 :"
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 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 op-
ponent.
In b~ief personal statement
Colonel Seely told the house there
was no differences between himself
and his colleagues in the cabinet on
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 bargain.
Andrew Bonar Law, leader of the
opposition, thought it 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 he at hand If advice was
wanted and then left the house, Of
which Regirald McKenna, the home
secretary, assumed the leadership.