Fergus County Democrat., 1915-10-21
CARSON j
RESIC N ED
BRITISH ATTORNEY GENERAL IN.
FORMS THE HOUSE OF CON-
MONS YESTERDAY.
NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS IS CAUSE

house OF commons today that his
resignation from the attorney gen
eralship was due to divergence of
views in regard to near eastern af-
fairs.
Sir Edward Added that he never
had had the slightest personal differ
ences with any of his colleagues.
After expressing regret at the alb
sence Of Premier Asuuite and stating
that for this reason he would give a
briefer explanation than he had in.
tended, Sir Edward Carsons said:
Il am well aware OF the difficult
tics under the existing circumstances
OF making any full statement or OF
saying anything that might he taken
hold of as showing any signs of weak
ness or divergence in the main Oh
iect we have in vicw-Of carrying til. ;.
war at all sacrifices to a final aud
successful issue. | need hardly say
that upon that issue is not and never
has been in the cabinet or In this
house or in the country. any dis
agreement or divergence of opinion.
"The real unity which the coun-
try wants is that steadfast unity OF
purpose to defeat our enemies and
to save our country, and | entirely
deny the fact of holding divergent
view as to how the best methods to
adopt to bring it to a successful con.
CluSiOn is an element of disuniOn.
81 have seen criticisms of myself
and reasons for my resignation of n
very petty and malicious character.
attributing the motive to party and
political nature
Il don't desire to deal with these
ridiculous assertions except to say
that since | entered the cabinet
never heard a word Of discussion or
dispute on those party questions
which divided lis before the war.
II also desire to say that during
the whole time I have been in the
cabinet | never have had any per-
scnal difference either with the
prime minister, whose unvarying
courtesy desire to acknowledge, or
with any one of my late colleagues.
Difficulties which have arisen in
the eastern war theaters have created
a situation Which to my mind must
necessarily lead to far-reachinS re.
suits.
AT the time | entered the cabinet
We already were committed to what
may be called the operations in CALI
pc!i. It must be plain to any OBJ
server that the new war theater in
the Balkans created a situation which
could not be divorced from our posi-
ticns on the Gallipoli peninsula; and
the statement made in this house by
the foreign minister, with the sane
tion of the cabinet, appeared to me 10
be an announcement of policy of
the highest Importance with regard
to obligations in the Balkans involv-
ing our prestige and honor
THAT situation, with all its com
plications, necessitated, in my cpin.
ion, a decisive policy on the part of
the government; and finding myself
unable to agree in any respect with
what understood to be policy ap
proved by the government. | felt that
my presence in the cabinet could not
be OF any use in the critical situation
i in which we we're involved.
II need hardly say am not sug
gesting that my views could possibly
be compared with those who have
much more experience and greater
wisdom in dealing with such stu
ations; but at the same time held
and hold the views | have expressed
very strongly, and, hope the house
will believe, conscientiously and
patriotically. | did not think that in
the circumstances could be any.
thing but a source of weakness at q
time requiring great strength and
consistency.
Il ask the house to believe that il,
tire course | have taken | have beer
actuated by no personal party mo
tive, but that have acted to the best
of my ability solely in the interest ol
my country"
!, The Daily Mail. in discussing tho
Resignation of Sir Edward Carson as
attorney general, says:
1.-THE situation iii the Balkans com
piicated by the mislnanagcd Darda
helles operations and by the failures
IF our foreign office. is the cause ot
hits resignation. The hastv reader oil
his statement might conclude that ht
opposed an expedition to 'Saloniki foi
Serbia's aid, but Unless common re
port is greatly at fault, this does no,
represent his. true position He re
signed because in his Judgment the
cabinet had neither clear nor strong
purpose, nor did he decline to coun
tenance the policy of drifting.
.The situation in the Balkans re
auires the closest attention of the al
lies. The vital railway by which the
Serbian army has been supplied has
been cut 16O miles north of Saloniki
and the Buigarians are attacking the
Serbs from the flank and rear. Ii tht
Serbians are crushed or forced aside
Germanys Dad to Constantinople will
lie open and success may attract fresl
/ allies to her side. Germany will bt
, able to undo many OF the effects o
our naval blockade, obtaining supple.
, of cotton. rubber. oil and copper am
= rearming and furnishing munitions TO
. the Turks.
''The holdest measures are require,
to meet the situation.