The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-04
viii Ask Kings Consent to
Program for Ministerial Re-
construction
NAVAL POLICY BACK
OF PRESENT CRISIS
Series of Disasters to British
Arms and Failure of War
Heads in Handling Situation
Creates Dissension

London. Dec. 3-The reconstruct
ton Of the British government, freely
rumored for weeks, Is about TO be-
come fact :.
A statement issued tonight by the
official press bureau announced that
Premier AsQuith has decided to adj
wise the King to consent to a minis
terial reorganization.
Overshadowing all else in the POI
htical situation is the question, What
will Lioyd-George dor 1t is on
everyons's lips. but no one tonight
could even guexS Rt an answer.
A report which waS circulated
everywhere throughout the day arb
which failed to be. denied--either by
himself Or officially--was that the
war minister has rendered his resg-
nation. The reasons for this reported
step are shrouded in mystery. Ru-
mors that the war minister had put
the government and the country be-
fore the alternative, "Eithec Premier
Asquith goes or / go failed to be
substantiated in any quarter. More
over. the fact that the war minister
had an extended conference with the
premier this afternoon tended to dis
pei this theory altogether.
Lloyd George Holds Key.
That the atmosphere is cminouslv
charged with dangers which, if not
steered clear of In the eleventh hour.
may develop into an unprecedented
political upheaval is admitted even in
the highest quarters. And it is con-
coded with equal frankness that
Lloyd George holds the key to the
whole situation.
Probably no parliament session
since the outbreak of the war has
been awaited with such eagerness and
anxiety as tomorrow's
Premier Asquith is expected to give
to the House OF Commons a compre
hensive statement on the entire situa-
ton. Critics of the government are
prepared to turn their heavy guns on
the government whether he makes
such a statement or not. A general
Rebate In which every angle of the
situation will be discussed is the
ardently sought object of the opposi-
ton. Premier Asquith Is expected to
exert every bit of his talent and ex-
perienoe as a parliamentarian to avert
such 4 debate.
For this supreme effort the prime
minister Is believed to have prepared
today Is an endless series of confer
ences at his residence with party
leaders and ministers.
Bonar Law Mentioned.
A. Bonar Law. secretary for tho
colonies and the Marquis of Crew.
lord president OF the council. were
among the premier's visitors Ronar
mentioned as the most probable sue
cessor to Mr.. Asquith In the event Of
the latter's resignation.
Amid the maze of reports and ru-
mors Of the forthcoming changes ono
searched In vain for any that dealt
with Viscount Grey. Yet. yesterday
the generally accepted view was that
any real Reconstruction Of the
government" would necessarily include
the resignation OF both Asquith and
Grey. AS neither Is evidently plan-
ming to resign or slated for retirement.
the public tonight was puzzled by tho
announcement OF the proposed re-
construction.
The unacceptable conclusion was that
Lloyd-George intends to give up the
war ministry.
Nothing that developed today
served to dispel the theory that app
pears to be foremost In the public
mind2That the -crisis--if such 1t b
by tomorrow-will In the last analysis
be nnal and decisive contest be-
tween the Asquith following and the
large and powerful element backing
Lloyd-George AZ Britains strongest
man." II
Naval Policy Back OF Trouble.
Overwhelming adverse public opin-
ion and bitter criticism OF the British
war policies. which resulted in the
formation of the coalition cabinet in
May of 1915, now threaten its over
throw
The coalition cabinet was formed
because of the in-dequacy OF the
shell supply for British troops in
Flanders. the collapse of the disas-
trous Dardanelles venture. and other
important military and economic
blunders.
The present movement to over
throw the ministry centers about the
alleged laxity of the British blockade
of Germany. the submarine menace
and the inactivity OF the British feet.
As in the previous crisis. the threat
ening movement Il OF long standing
and growing Intensity.
Since its inception the coalition
cabinet has been beset with crisis
after crisis and considerable dissen-
sion. 1t hrst split over the question
Of conscrtption. Tho Irish situation
marked another crisis. and now
comeSAshe question Of naval policy.
which threatens disruption.
Similar disturbances caused the
formation Of the cabinet. Shortly AZ
ter the start Of the war the cabinet
then In power made the late Lord
Kitchener supreme in the military. i
Winston Churchill was first lord Of
the admiralty.
Diascnsions We're FfeqnsnA N
Kitchener. the great organl1er. aoon
had q tremendous army In E1Andora
The volunteer system. under hta Jea1~
erahln vna found AfI4Nn6l0aaa -