Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-01-07
Fear Is Expressed, However,
That Cabinet Is Splitting to
Pieces and General Election
May Be Called,
DETECTION OF LABOR IS
BELIEVED CRITICAL.
Arthur ], BaIfour Closes De-
bate With Patriotic Appeal
for Parliament to Stand by
Government,

tey NoeAlAa louaNAt SPECIAL LCssup w,aGl
London. jan. ! t:t0 n. ny The
question on every tongue at the po-
litieal rendezvous clubs last night was
whether the momentous events of the
day had brought general election
In sight
An appeal to the country ana It
break M of both the coalition govern
ment ana the labor party are con-
tingencies Of the near future and
whilo the government. has secured
what IN ordinary circumstances would
lac regarded rs q satisfactory major
ity. 2gS for it's hill, the detection of
n large section of the labor party,
with the loss Of four members Of the
government, admittedly places the
government in critical position and
many doubts are expressed that IL
will succeed In weathering tho
storm.
Cabinet Not Called.
No cabinet council has yet been
summoned and majority of the
members of the house of commons
are adverse to general election, but
an appeal to the country may come
about in either of two ways. First,
the house Of lords could without the
consent OF the government bring the
lite oi the parliament to an end by
simply declining to proceed with the
parliament and registration bill
which prolongs the life OF the parla-
ment eight months on tho other
hand il may still be found that Reg
maid McKonna, chancellor OF the cx-
cbeaucr aud Walter Runciman, pres
ident ck the board OF trade, are qnit-
ting the cabinet though nothing yet
Is known of their position in which
case II would not be improbable that
the government would geek an exit
from It's differences by resignlng and
appealing to the country
DRAFT BilI Passcs First Reading.
Amid scenes of wild enthusiasm the
house of commons passed the first
reading Of the government bill for
compulsory military service by the
decisive vote OF 403 To los.
The vote came shortly before mid
night, with the galleries again pack
ed, every seat on the floor of the
house occupied, the ministerial
benches filled and an air of eager
expectancy prevailing The events Of
the day had increased the tension tu
Il high pitch, notably the action of
the labor congress and the quick se-
quel of the retirement of three labor
members Of the ministry.
Throughout these developments
outside of parliament tho debate In
the house had forged steadily ahead.
but had been left largely to the les
ser figures. II was reserved for A.
j. Bafour. first lord of the admiralty
to close the debate In favor Of the
government ana he did IL in per-
suasive appeal of half an hour which
reused the lagging spirits Of the ad-
voeates Of the bill and turned the tide
of adversely which has been running
steadily against the measure through
the debate and the outside events of
the day.
Tremendous Cheering.
Let this vote tonight snow that wo
are n united people, was his closing
appeal "Do not let ts give false
tn the world that In the
Of tho country's greatest
we are divided one against
Abandon your abstract the
Ories, and remember we are dealing
with stern realities which call for
great sacrifices Then came the vote
which was taken amid eager interest !
rs the members filed before the tel I
Iets ana peers crowded their galleries
to witness the final result The an
nOunccment Of the figures was re- |
rcivod with tremendous outburst OF
cheering which ran.g through the /
chamber and was echoed TO the watt
ing crowds outside +
Scores of members in khaki waved |
their handkerchiefs and the mir was i
rent with white papers flung In tri-
lmph at the governments success.
Amid the demonstration Premier
Asquith his face usually pale, now
glowing with satisfaction. walked |
down the floor of the house to pre-
sent the bill formally to the chamber.
His appearance was the signal for a
-a pturous ovation, members of all
,ides standing and cheering. while the
galleries could with difficulty be re-
strained from Joining in the enthus-
asm
An analysis for the vote showed
hat the government had held the
,rpat bulk Of the liberal and conserva-
i've vote. The Irish nationalists had
ioted against the bill but the Irish un-
onists supported the measure and
he O'Brienites took no part in the
livision.