The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-03-31
ASQU|TH MAY RESIGN
CLASH OVER HOME RULE IS
CAUSE - RESIGNATION OF
SEELY BRINGS UPROAR.
CABINET MAY ALSO QUIT
Minister Of War Brings Political Crisis
When He Resiens-BritIsh Premier
Refuses to Accept Resignation
Churchill Attacked by the UnionIsts.

REFUSES 10 accept keslgnatlon-
Churchill Attacked by the UnionIsts.
London. March 27.-Great Britain's
cabinet is to be reformed with Lloyd
George, present chancellor of the
exchequer, at it's head, with the other
members of the cabinet radical Lib
erals Premier Asquith is to resign.
General elections are to be held
within few weeks, which would spell
the defeat of the home rule bill.
These are the predictions after
day which will make history in Great
Britain.
Asquith's cabinet was shaken by the
official resignation of Col. John Ed
ward Bernard Seely. minister of war.
Premier Asquiths cabinet was
shaken by the resignation of Col. John
Edward Bernard Seeiy, secretary of
war The resignation was officially
announced on Wednesday. The head
of the war department gave up his
post because of interference with his
plans for mobilizing the army to crush
the Ulster volunteers, organized to
fight home rule. Premier Asquith re-
fused to accept the resignation.
Winston Spencer Churchill, first
lord of the admiralty, and one of
the chief advocates of an aggressive
policy against the people of Ulster,
was made the target for an attack by
the Unionists shortly after the house
10
barded with questions as to the attt-
tude Of the government toward Ulster
and replied calmly until asked wheth-
ct he had hoped that the precautions
taken to guard the government stores
In Ulster would cause fighting.
Leaping to his feet the head Of the
British navy shouted:
Perhaps l may be allowed to re-
pudiate that helllsh insinuation."
A prolonged uproar followed, the
Unionists demanding that Churchill
withdraw the expression "hellish In
situations" and the Liberals shouting:
mo! MOI He's right"
Speaker Lowther finally ruled that
Churchill would have to withdraw the
expression and he complied amid a
deafening din of shrieks and Kisses.
Colonel Seely made a fate denial
that King George had taken any
Initiative in the dispute involving the
refusal of Ulster officers to march
against their countrymen. He elab-
grated details of correspondence re-
lating to the Ulster matter which the
government had made public earlier
Y In the day and then made the formal
announcement that he had rendered
his resignation.
Pandemonium followed Seely's an
nouncement Ex-Premier A.. j. Bal
four, a Unionist, shouted to Premier
Asquith:
is this statement true?"
The premier answered: Colonel
Seely is still a member of the cabi-
net"
guished career both in the field of
statesmanship and on the field Of &C
ton.
Colonel Seely made long state
ment In his own behalf
Unfortunately the officers who re-
signed were Iaboring under a misap-
prehenesion," said the official. They
got the impression that the govern
ment intended to treat Ulster as an
enemy and overwhelm her in a sur
prise attack, but this is utterly un-
true"
al a
fly for the military blunder upon him
self, saying:
IL personally informed General
Cough in an interview that the gov
eminent had no intention of firing
upon the Ulstermen. General Cough
thought 1t would be better to have
this information In writing in case
there might be Misunderstanding. l
considered this a desirable course as
a situation of great peril to the army
had arisen. No blame attaches to
Field Marshal French, nor to the army
council The whole blame rests upon
myself have asked the premier to
accept my resignation"
Former Premier Balfour arose at
this point and addressed the war sec
rotary as follows:
"Sir, 1 extend the heartiest sym
pathy to you, who, some have sup
posed, is no longer an officer of the
crown"
But he is still a member Of the
crowns cabinet" cried Premier AS
quith, amid a terrific demonstration.
Colonel Seely again took the floor
and again assured the members of
commons that he was responsible for
any mistake that had been made.
Colonel Seely got a tremendous
ovation when he had concluded.
President Calls on Senator