New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-27
Cabinet Meets To-day
to Weigh Derby's
Results.
PRESS WANTS
LLOYD GEORGE
Truce Of Parties Ends
and Attacks Become
More Bitter.

London. Dec. PA Cabinet coun-
ell will be held tonight, and it IS eX-
pected will make a decision on the
question Of whether the results of
the Derby scheme of recruitment JUS
tify continued adhesion to the volun-
tary system or whether some form of
conscription will become necessary.
This council should have been held
Friday, but David Lloyd George,
Minister of Munitions, was engaged
in an important munitions mission in
the Clyde district; hence the post
ponement until to-day.
Christmas passed without heavy
fighting anywhere on the European
fronts. It passed also without a
truce, which gave a touch. OF human
ity to Christmas Day a year ago.
The United Kingdom, however, wit
nesses a general abandonment of the
truce between the political parties,
which was observed during the early
months of the war and which appar-
entity was cemented for the duration
of the war when the coalition govern
ment was formed.
Press Opposition Grows.
The last week has seen steady
growth Of the newspaper attacks on
the government, the general burden
of which is the slowness, the lack of
foresight and decision and the mis-
management Of the Dardsnelles en-
terprises. While all newspapers dis
claim any partisan motives, all the
more prominent ones participating in
the Opposition belong to the Conserv-
ative party with the exception Of
"The Manchester Guardian"
The newspapers generally hold
Premier Asouith responsible for the
conduct Of affairs. The Northclife
group. headed by "The Times" and
The Daily Mail" with the support
Of "The Morning Post" was joined
to-day by "The Observer which is
the foremost Sunday rsper, and "The
Referee" which has a large audience
among the masses.
David Lloyd George is the only can
didate advanced for succession. He
commanded Lord Northcliffe's support
some time ago in his speech, charging
the &C enment with being too late
at the most important crisis Of the
war, and at the same time gained for
himself q larger following.
Cabinets Delay a Grievance.
The two latest counts of the indict-
ment Of the Cabinet are the postpone
ment until the holidays Of the Muni-
tions bill and the postponement OF
giving the country any insight into
Lord Derby's report on his recruiting
results. In the meantime the verdict
of union labor on Mr. Lloyd George
appeal 10 relax union rules in mum
tions works to permit Of the enry o.
10000 unskillod laborers is awaited
with interest. One hundred and fifty
delegates of the Engineering Society
meet In London this week to consider
terms for settling all differences WITH
the government.
"The Times" suggests this morning
that the conscriptionists are IN a ma
iority in the Cabinet. and that. should
force be decided upon, some anti-con-
scriptionist ministers viii resign. They
however. viii not 20 TO this extreme
until all hope of securing unity in the
Cabine. abandoned. Their plan, ac-
corqiue % "fne ines is 20 give the
single men aaot.e. g. ance Tor Iof.-
NIGHT. during which the serious posi-
zion would be brought home 10 them.
ana that i this plan stl. failed 90
hiring the men - the scratch they
would reluctantly abandon their oppo-
sition 20 conservation.
Another solution TO tic problem is
general election o. the question, and
il D. stated tha. the ministers have
also discu 81 such q course.
Wants Army Deficit shown.
"The Times's" military correspond
eut. who is evidently skepucal of tho
success OF the Dc-by scheme. urges the
House Of Commons TO insist IN the
coming dcba.c that the government
shall reveal the total deficit n the army
that is go say reveal the difference
between she ost3o.ishmcuts and The
strengths. he iufcrs that the battal-
ions are not being kept up 10 their
proper strength. and that She whole
question Of the numbers abroad and "a.
home need close examination.
"lf Parliament is determined and
ruthless hc says. $40 uiil compel the
government 90 count only The men ~
90 serve fI tnc field
I'VE have passed the stage whore Nc
can allow ourselves TO be hobbcd OF BY