The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-03-31

Return"-French and EWart Quit
Army.
London, March 31.-Colonel John
Seely, secretary of state for war, re.
signed his portfolio in the British
cabinet and his resignation was ac.
cepted by the premier.
Premier Asquith himself decided
to take the secretaryship of war in
place of Colonel Seely.
Sir John French, chief of the inn
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 in the
house of commons that his war Sec
retary had paid the penalty of his in
discretions in adding to a cabinet
document two paragraphs which have
aroused such feeling as to threaten
the existence of the entire cabinet.
The first inforation received by
members of parliament that Colonel
Seely had definitely retired from the
house and took a seat on the back
benches instead of among his late col.
leagues.
Paragraphs in Dispute.
The two paragraphs which caused
the crisis were those giving guaran-
tees to Brigadier General Hubert
Cough and the officers serving under
him in Ireland that they would not
be called upon for service against
the Ulster Unionists.
The later reputation of these guar
antees by the cabinet was taken as
rebuff by Field Marshal Sir John
French, virtual commander-in-chief of
the army, and by Sir John Ewart, the
adjutant general to the forces.
Premier Asquith's further an
nouncement that he himself would
take up the portfolio of secretary of
war came in the nature Of a surprise.
Having announced his intention to
take up the office he declared he would
retire from the house of commons in
accordance with the law until it
pleases my constituents to sanction
my return"
The premier then dramatically
walked out of the chamber amid fran
tic cheers from the Liberals, the Ma
tionahsts and the Labor members.
the whole body of whom rose to their
feet and waved handkerchiefs and
papers as he left.
Again Up for Reelection.
Mr.. Asquith having accepted IAN
office of profit under the crown" must
now return to his constituency of
East Fife. Scotland, for reelection.
On the last occasion he received s..
1919 votes, against the 1850 of his
Unionist opponent.
When Premier Asquith entered the
house he was greeted with a great
ovation from the members on the
ward rose before the crowded cham.
Der to make his promised statement
on the army crisis.
After full consideration Field Mar
| shall French and Adjutant General
Ewart have persisted in their desire
TO be relieved of their Offices" the
premier said. I'm the public interest
deeply deplore the decision of these
gallant officers and / cannot speak
| too warmly or gratefully Of the ability,
| loyalty and devotion with which they
have served the state and the army,
| and will, hope. continue to serve"
The prime minister proceeded to
| tell the house that Colonel Seely had
| informed him, to his great regret,
| that he felt bound to take the same
| course and resign from the secretary.
| ship for war Mr.. Asquith then
sprang his sensation on the house.
| He said:
| "In the circumstances, and after
! much consideration, have felt IL my
| duty to assume the Office of secre.
tary of state for war. although l have
taken the step only with the greatest
reluctance, in what | believe to be a
great public emergency"
| American Slain In Korea.
New York, March 31.-Dr. Edgar
| de Mott Stryker, an American surgeon
i'm charge of a large hospital at Hol
kol, Korea, was shot and killed by a
Japanese, according to a cablegram
received by Edward H. Loud. father OF
Mrs. Stryker, at his Brooklyn home
The message said the slayer was
,"crazy" and that death came imme
AAs