New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-21
Ex-Attorney General De
nies Politics Ever Entered
Into Meetings.
NEVER HAD SPLIT
WITH COLLEAGUES
Admits Near Eastern Policy
Forced Him Out, but Expresses
Confidence in Ministry.

Buckingham Palace, where he had
handed to King George the seals Of his
Office on his resignation from the Cabi-
net, Sir Edward Carson appeared in the
House of Commons this afternoon and
set at rest all conjecture regarding the
reasons for his retirement.
Rising from his old seat on the front
Opposition bench, the ex-Attorney Gen
eral in a few words made the House
conversant with the cause of the Minis
terial crisis, which he said was due en-
tirely to the fact that he found HIM
self in complete variance with the Cab
met on questions of Near Eastern pol
icy. He felt, therefore, that his pres
ence in the Cabinet would be source
of weakness and not of strength.
Sir Edward added that he never had
had the slightest personal differences
with any of his colleagues.
Britain to Fight to the End.
After expressing regret at the ABB
sence of Premier Asquith and stating
that for this reason he would give a
shorter explanation than he had IN
tended, Sir Edward said:
81 am we'll aware Of the difficulties
under the existing circumstances Of
making any full statement or OF say
ing anything that might be taken hold
Of as showing any signs OF weakness
or divergence in the main object we
have in view-of carrying the war at
all sacrifices TO a final and conclusive
issue. | need hardly say that upon
that issue there is not and never has
been, either in the cabinet or in this
House or in the country. any disagree
ment or divergence OF opinion.
"The real unity which the country
wants is that steadfast unity of pur-
pose to defeat our enemies and TO save
our country, and | entirely deny that
the fact Of holding divergent view as
to the best policy and the metnods 10
adopt in the various war theatres IN
order 10 bring it TO successful con.
clusion is in any sense an element OF
disunion. >,
~ have seen criticisms of myself
and reasons for my resignation OF a
very petty and malicious character, at
tributing the motives 10 party and
political nature.
Political Motives Laid Aside.
az do not desire to deal with these
now. in the presence of many OF my
late colleagues, that since | entered
the Cabinet | have never heard word
Of discussion or dispute on those party
questions which divided US before the
war. In every Cabinet meeting | have
attended we all devoted our energies
wholly and solely to the discussion or
ouestions which arose with reference
TO the prosecution of the war.
81 also desire TO say that during
the whole time | have been in the
Cabinet | never have had any personal
difference either with ;he Prime Min
ister, whose unvarying courtesy de-
sire TO acknowledge, or with any one
of my late colleagues. May | also add
that no one realizes moro than the
great difficulties under which we Ia
bor. owing TO the fact that our policy
and methods must at all times be
adonted in concert and coordination
with our various allies, and must also
verv frequently be framed with view
10 consulting sentiments and feelings
in those neutral countries with whom
we remain on friendly terms? This Of
ten has been lost sight of by critics
of our actions who cannot possibly
know the difficulties which arise from
time 10 time.
The Balkan Situation.
"Dificulties which have arisen In the
Eastern war theatres nave created
situation which TO my mind must nee
essarilv lead to far reaching results.
At the time | entered the Cabinet we
already were committed TO what may
be called the operations at Gallipoli.
II is not, Of course, my intention 10
deal either with the inception or the
carving out OF those operations. but
il must be plain 20 any observer that
the new war theatre IN the Balkans
created a situation which could not De
divorced from our position on the Gal
lipoli peninsula, and the statement
made in this House by the Foreign
Minister, with the sanction OF the Cab
met, appeared TO me TO be an an
nouncement of a policy Of the highest
Importance with regard to our obliga-
tions in the Balkans, involving our
prestige and honor.
That situation with all its complies-
tions necessitated in my opinion =
clearly defined. we'll thought out and
decisive policy on the part Of the gov
eminent. and. Anding myself unable 20
agree in any respect with what | un-
derstood 20 be laid down as policy
approved by the government. ! felt that