New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-07
Three Members Of
Party Quit Ministry
in Draft Crisis.
MEASURE GETS
20S MAJORITY
London Sees Chance of
General Election-Car-
son Heads Opposition.

London, Jan. With the neces-
sity Of making a supreme effort on
the battlefield confronting her. Great
Britain to-day is a divided camp.
Conscription. proposed for the Arst
time in England's history, has split
the nation.
Amid scenes Of wild enthusiasm,
the House Of Commons last night
passed the first reading Of Premier !
Asquith's bill providing for tho |
draft Of "slackers" by the decisive
vote Of 4O3 to 1O5.
Amid scenes of enthusiasm equal
~ wild. the Labor Congress repre-
senting 10000 Of England's work
men. earlier in the day had passed
a resolution opposing the Asquith
measure by the overwhelming vote
of l.99s.OOO 20 $4,000. And as
quick sequel came the retirement OK
Arthur Henderson and two other
Labor members Of the ministry.
The question on every lip at the
political clubs last night was
whether the momentous events OF
the day had brought a general cleo
ton within sight. An appeal TO tho
country and a breakup Of both the
coalition government and the Labor
party are contingencies Of the near
future. and while the governments
has obtained what in ordinary cir
cumstances would be regarded as a
satisfactory majority-29S-for It's
bill. the detection Of a large section
OF the Labor party. with the loss OF
four members of the government,
admittedly places the government in
a critical position, and many doubts
are expressed that it viii succeed in
weathering the storm.
Oppose Election Vow.
40 Cabinet Council has ve' been
summoned, and a majority Of the mem
bers Of the House OF Commonsj are
averse 70 a general election. but an ap-
peal TO the country may come about IN
either Of two ways First. the Houss
Of Lords could. without the consent %
the government. bring the life of ''s
Parliament 70 an end by simply de-
clining 70 proceed with the Parliament
and Registration Bill. which Drolorgf
the life Of the Parliament clCns
months.
on the other hand. ~ NAV suli 30
found that Reginald Nchenna. Chan
cellor Of che Eychequer. and Walter
Ruuciman. President Of the Board %
Trade. are quitting the Cabinet. though
nothing yet is known OF their position,
in which case 10 would NOT be improb-
able that the government would seek
an exit from its difficulties by appeal
ing 20 the country
The vote In the Commons came short.
IL before midnight, with the galleries
again packed. every seat on the floor or
the House occupied, the Ministerial
OfnfNfn I.aAfN anu an h.N '. Neb''
pectancy prevailing. The events - tho
day had increased the tension 20 high
pitch.
Bslfour Makes Plea.
The debate nm the House had forged
steadily ahead. but had been left 'arge-
lv 20 lesser figures r. was reserved
for A. J. Baifour. First Lord 81 tho
Admiralty. 20 close the debate m behals
Of the government, and he did it in a
persuasive appeal Of half an hour,
which reused the tagging spirits Of ths
advocates OF the bill and turned ths
tide % adversely which had been run
ming steadily against the measure
through the debate and the outside
events Of the day.
Iet this vote tonight show that
we are a united people was VI. Bal
four's closing appeal DO no' let -
give a false impression 20 the world
that in the moment Of the countrys
gravest emergency we are divided one
against another Abandon your ao-
stract theories and remember We arc
dealing with stern realities which cali
for great sacrifices.
Then cane the vote. which was taken
amid eager interest. as The members
fled before trc telers and peers
crowded % their galleries 20 witness
the final result. The announcements
OF the figures was received with tre-
rendous outburst Of cheering. which
rang through the chamber. and was
echoed 70 the waiting crowds OUTSIDE.
Scores of members IN Khaki waved
their handkerchiefs and the air was
rent with white papers flung IN tn
umph at the governments success.
Asquith Gets Ovation.
Amid the demonstration. Premier
Asquith. his face. usually pale. now
glowing with satisfaction. walked
down the floor OF the House % present
the bill formally 20 the chamber. HIS
al pearance was the signal for a great
ovation, members o. all sides standing
and cheering. while the galleries could
with difficulty be restrained from join
ing m the enthusiasm
An analysis OF the vote showed thai
the government had hello the greaa
bulk Of the Liberal and Conservative