Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-06
ASQU|TH RESIGNS
AND PREMIERSHIP
|S0FFERED TOLAW
Head of British Govern
ment Quits After Day Of
Political Excitement.
RESIGNATION PROMPTLY
ACCEPTED BY KING GEORGE
Forced to Step Down and Out by
Insuperable Obstacles to
Program.
GENERAL ELECTIONS POSSIBLE
Should Law Decline to Serve Honor
Will tio To Lloyd
George.
RESIGNATION PROMPTLY
ACCEPTED BY KING GEORGE
iENERAL ELECTIONS POSSIBLE
'Bv 4 srocia,cd pres~

~ Associated Press
LONDON. December ,.--Ii"rh.rt Il.
h3Guith tonight resigned the Erittsh
premiership. which hc had held through
eight stormy years OF domestic and
foreign history. and tho government
crisis found solution which had been
considered the least probable Of prac-
teal alternatives The Unionis, lead
'r. Andrew Bonar Law Was summoned
10 the place immediately after Mr.
Asquith had departed. and the King
offered him thc Prime Ministers com
mission. which he had just accepted
from Mr. Asquith's hands.
No announcement, regarding Eouar
Laws decision has vet been made aud
there are some doubts whether he viii
accept the heavy responsibility. If hc
declines. IL IL considered certain the
honor viii fall to David Lloyd George.
The continuation ot the coalition
cubine, with some changes. and the
speeding up Of the war management
VIII be the policy 5, amy event;
KESItNITI0N COMES
AFTER EXCITING DAY
advis. III. King 10 summon Andrew
Bunar Law /" form "a cabinc, WAS
taken after 81 day. % extraordinary
cominGs and Goinrs Of The political
leaders between Downing street and
the various government departments.
MIR. Asquith met several Cuionisi load
crs tn consultation. including Earl
turzon. Lord Robert Cecil and tho Earl
OF Derby.
Noticeable abscntecs from this CON
ference were y. j Balfour, who is III:
Andrew Bonar Law. J. Austen cham
bcrlain aud Walter Hume Long
Later in the afternoon the Premier
met his supporters. including Niscount
Grey. Lewis FIarcourt. Edwin : Mon
,aeu. the Marquis of rrewc. Reginald
Mck"nna. Walter Runciman lord
Buckmast.r. II. samuel. Lord Heading
and Arthur HENDERSON. rhc meeting
lasted for more than AN hour ana II
is supposed that Mr. AsGuith explained
that he Was faced by almost inSup.r-
able obstacles To the reconciliation of
the conflicting interests. and intended
10 tender his resignation. Almost i'm
mcdiat"ly tn" Premier drove to the
palace and had AN audience with the
King.
l, now is remarked ;hat when Mr.
Asquith was asked I'm tn. House OF
Commons yesterday II II food dictator
had been appointed, Ii" replied Sharply:
II don't like a food dictator"
MUCH TALK Is HEARD
or GENERAL. ELECTION
There is much talk tonight of the
possibilities Of general election.
Ronar Law would first form n Cabinet,
il he takes office, ms il is necessary
that tho government he carried on.
and then appeal I, th" electors for q
ratification OF his administrations
There is strong opposition. however.
to any political campaign which must
necessarily divert the conntrys ener-
cics from the war while il lasted. aud
the new government may decide 10 go
ahead with til" approval Of the House
of Commons oniy and not of tho voters.
DAVID LLOYD GEORGE HAS
FRIENDS IN BOTH CAMPS
The part David Lloyd George is
playing in the crisis was demonstrated
plainly to-day by the fact that he
remained in his office. while the Premier
conferred separately with Tho Liberal
and Conservative members OF the Cabi-
not Lloyd Georges policy had sup
porters in both camps. His strOngcst
Liberal friend. Lord Reading. carried
messages between tho Premier's couu-
ellis and Lloyd Georges desk 1t was
significant TO Onlookcrs also that
Ronar Law refrained from attending
the Conservatives meeting with Mr.
AsHuith, and Lord Curzon hastcncd to
report to him at the Colonial Office i'm.
mediately the conference was ended
Mr.. Asquith's retirement has taken
politicians by surprise The possibility
that he will remain in the Cabinet with
Ronar Law. taking the post Of Lord
High Chancellor. is discussed
Herbert Samucls's promotion from the
Home sccretaryship TO Reginald Me
ienna's position at the Treasury also
is predicted. while acceptance of the
designations Of Visoount Grey and 4
j. Ralfour, which some OF tn, papers
backing Lloyd George arc demanding.
is less likely under Bonar Laws re.
cime than if Lloyd George came into
power.
The Labor party will hold more
important pa t in any now Cabinet
The more sensational London papers
have enjoyed three four days Of
almost frenzicd excitement with de-
mands and denunciations, often in Ian
guage stronger than any in the MEM
ory Of the present generation. The
crucial events IN Roun.ania and Greece
have been given a secondary place cx-
cept as they were used as a basis for
attacks on the ministers
THE strong man wins" was the pos
CONTINUED on Fourth PageJ