New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-28
Will Resign Unless
COnsCriptiOn Is
Ordered.
DRAFT ISSUE
SPLITS CABINET
Some Members Waver-
Fight Opens in Com
mons Tonight.

London, Dee. 28.-That the pro-
ceedings Of the British Cabinet have
not been going smoothly is seen in
tie fact that after a two hours sit
ting yesterday (Monday) the Coun-
ell was obliged to adjourn until to-
day. no decision having been
reached and the discussion having
revealed grave differences of opin-
ion.
THE Times's" Parliamentary cor
respondent asserts that the position
is undeniably delicate and may be-
come critical to-day unless handled
with frmness and decision.
THE Daily Mail" asserts that
Andrew Bonar Law. Secretary for
the Colonies, and Lord Kitchener,
the War Minister, have not yet
n ade their position clear, while A.
J Balfour, First Lord Of the Ad-
miralty, resolutely opposes compul-
sion, in which he is supported by a
majority of the ministers. But
David Lloyd George, the Marquis of
Lansdowne, Earl Curzon, Sir Fred
erick Smith, J. Austen Chamberlain,
Walter Hume Long and the Earl Of
Selborne advocate immediate COM
pulsion.
Mr.. Lloyd George, The Mail" adds,
before the sitting of the council made
his position clear to Premier Asquith
in q message intimating that unless
Mr.. Asquth's pledge to married men
be kept in the strictest sense he could
not continue cs a member OF the gov
eminent
Predict New Election.
The Morning Post" equally with
the Times and the Daily MALI
all conscriotionist papers sees the
possibility Of several Cabinet resigna-
tions, or the other alternative, a gem
eral election.
"The Morning Telegraph" and The
Chronicle" anti-compulsion organs. are
also apprehensive of crisis or a gen
eral election. The Chronicle" editor.
tally protests against "intrisuers and
wire-pullers. who contemplate the des-
perate and mad expedient OF general
election--a gamblers plunge, which
might entail disastrous consequences
and points out how, by merely with
holding it's assent TO the Parliament
and registration bills, the House Of
Lords can make elections unavoidable
next month. since, in the absence OF
the Parliament bill. which prolones L.
life for eight months, the present Par
lament would expire by the effluxion OF
time at the end of January.
Concerning the people who make a
comparison with America during the
Civil War, "The Chronicle argues that
Lincoln's action is not q precedent, be-
cause conditions were different. Lin
coin was distracted by Wholesale deser-
tions, while recruiting was stimulated
By extravagant bounties.
THE Chronicle" adds "Our volun-
tary army in one year exceeded in num-
ber all the men recruited by the Fed
eral government in the four years Of
the war. and that without drafts TO
force them or bounties 20 bribe them" ="
Grey. Too, May Quit.
The Parliamentary situation con-
tinues full OF uneasy rumors, and some
changes in the Cabinet are being widely
talked Of. There IS a possibility that
Sir Edward Grey's health may compel
him TO leave the Cabinet, although he
attended to-dsy's meeting.
The sudden return Of Winston Spen-
Ger Churchill 20 England likewise Is
the basis OF many rumors. Mr.. Lloyd
George received a great ovation from
the holiday crowd when he arrived at
Downing Street for the Cabinet meet
ms. -,
Later. however. Mr.. Churchill re-
turned 70 his regiment in France.
There Is no longer any doubt that
Lord Derby's recruiting scheme has
been failure The reluctance OF the
government to publish the nuyber Of
The recruits gained, which the Premier
several times has promised TO reveal in
Parliament, is taken as confirmation OF
the worst.
"The Times's" military spondent
l. frankly skeptical Of Lord Derby's
success Although the Allies now have
6 600 900 men in the field, opposed TO
tbeir adversaries' 100000, this advan-
tage has been more than overcome. ne
maintains. By the superior strategy and
nosition OF the Central Powers during
the first year of the war.
Unless the decision Of the Cabinet ls
at once announced the conscription aG-
yocstes plan 20 reopen the fight on the
Premier in the Commons tonight. when
tho Dardanelles and Balkan failures
will be again brought up for discus
sion.
a third candidate for the Premier
shin. in case the Asquith ministry is
forced out. emerged to-day in the per
son Of Lord Curzon OF kedleston. hold
inc the post of Lord OF the Privy Seal
in the present Cabinet.
Lord Curzon may ultimately become
stronger contender than Lloyd
George. owing to the opposition TO the
latter that is sure TO develop among
The Conservatives. Among these the
Munitions Minister is bitterly hated for
tho increased taxes on land he intro
duced in his budget while Chancellor
Of the Exehequer.