Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-19
COALITION MAY
RULE ENGLAND;
new SEA LORD
Reported Balfour of Unionist Party
Will Take Place of Churchill
as Chief of the Ad-
miralty.
ALLIES MAKE GAINS IN WEST
Successes in Vicinity of La Bassee
Offset by Losses Of Russians in
Eastern Arena.
czAR NICHOLAS GOES TO FRONT

LONDON, May 1s.--Persistent
rumors we're in circulation in the
lobby OF the House Of Commons to-
night that a coalition government
was about to be formed. Unionist
leaders held conference with
Premier Asquith this afternoon and
II is stated that the question OF
coalition was settled.
Government in Quandary.
All during the day there we're re-
ports that the government had sud
denly found itself confronted with
problems of momentous Importance.
Announcements Of the cancellation
OF the cabinet council which had
been summoned to meet at noon; OF
the pcstponement of Chancellor
Lloyd Georges projected tour Of the
country to stimulate the output Of
munitions Of war and OF approach
ing visits Of Mr.. Churchill and other
ministers to Mr.. Asquith all served
to give color to these reports.
official information is still lack
ing. however.
According to these reports, the
ALLEGATION of officers has not been
finally determined. 1t is Tumored
that A. ]. Balfour. former premier
will succeed winston Spencer
Churchill as first lord Of the adj
miralty, the latter taking some
other.
LONDON, May 1s.--What seems
like cabinet crisis suddenly has
been sprung on Great Britain. There
has arisen what appears TO be rup-
ture between the civil head Of the adj
miralty, Winston Spencer Churchill.
and the lords OF the admiralty, but
particularly Lord Fisher. who may
leave the fleet As a result the pos.
sibility Of material changes in the
cabinet Is being discussed. For tha
! moment the situation holds the polite
ical field. All kinds OF rumors are
current, but the ministers are not LETT
ting the real facts out OF the govern-
ment offices; they are being secreted
in Downing Street.
Allies Gain and Lose.
Tho success OF tho offensive OF the all
lies around La Bassee Is. in the opinion
Of British observers, balanced by the
Russian reverses in the eastern arena of
tho war. a reverse which the latest Of
ficlf4 communication from Petrograd
fully confirms but. which It is argued
In London may show a different aspect
when the Russian counter stroke in
eastern Galicia and BukowinA n fought
out.
In southern Poland the Russians con-
fess 10 having been forced TO retreat to
a new line between the Pilica river ami
tho upper VistulR. Consequently their
whole plan OF campaign may have beeu
profoundly altered by the Irresistible ad.
vance of tho Gernsanic allies.
The Russians have been compelled ID
abandon their movement In the westerly
passes of the Carpathians. but they ap5
pear still 10 hold Uszok pass. the main
gateway to Hungary
The campaign 30 successfully launched
in the last few days In the northern part
Of France. IL II can be pushed homeI
must have a most serious effect ON the
German lines. in tho belief of British
military criticisms With the possible
advent OF Italian forces on the Austrian
rear. the argument is being advanced
that there must be soon a relaxation Of
the German and Austrian pressure on thd
Russian front
French official Report.
PARIS. May is.-The French War officd
CONTINUED on Page two. Column ThTee.5