Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-12-07
Political Crises in Britain Gil
makes with Premier's Civ
ing Up Power.
BONAR LAW SUMMONED.
King Offers the Prime Minister'S Com
mission to UniOnist Lender-De.
cision Not Announced.

unionist leader, Andrew Bonar Law,
was summoned to tho palace imme-
diately after Mr.. Asquith had departed
and the King offered him the prime
minister's commission, which he had
Just accepted from MIR. Asquith s
hands.
No announcement regarding Mr.
Bonar Laws decision has yet been
made, and there are some doubts
whether he will accept the heavy re-
sponsibility. If he declines, it is con-
sidered certain that the honor will fall
to David Lloyd George. The continue
ton of the coalition cabinet with some
changes in it's membership and the
speeding up of the war management
will be the policy in either event
The premier's decision to resign and
advise the King to summon Andrew
Bonar Law to form a cabinet was taken
after day of extraordinary political ex-
citement and activity, There We're con-
slant comings and goings of the political
leaders between Downing street and the
various government departments. Mr..
Asquith met several unionst leader in
consultation, including Earl Curzon. Lord
Robert Cecil and the Earl Of Derby.
Noticeable absentees from this confer
ence We're \. J. Balfour. who is i'll, An
drew Bonar Law. j. Austen Chamberlain
and Walter Hume Long
E"'er III ''e AFTERNOON tne premier met
MS supporters, including NlScount Grey
Lewis 1Iarcourt. Edwin s Montagu, the
Marquis of Crewe, Reginald McKenna
Walter Runcman. Lord Buckmaster.
Herbert Samuel, Lord Reading and Ar
thur Henderson. The meeting lasted for
IIo'e thail an houf ana II Is supposed that
W.T. ASquth explained that he was faced
by almost msuperabie obstacles to the
reconciliation OF the conflicting interests
anu INTENDED 10 tender MS resignation.
Almost Immediately the premier drove to
me palace ana had an audience with the
hlhg.
Is now remarked that when Mr.. As
Nulth was asked in the House of Com
mons yesterday if "A food dictator had
heeh appointed he replied sharply: Il
don like food dictator
mere Is much talk tonight of the pos
siolIltIes OF a general election Mr. Bonar
Law would first form n cabinet, if he
takes office, ~ it is necessary that the
government be carried on, and then APP
peal to the electors for a ratification of
his administration.
There is strong opposition. however to
any political campaign, which must nee
essariy divert the country's energies
from the war work while it lasted, and
tho new government may decide to
go ahead, with the approval of the
House of Commons only, and not Of the
voters.
The part David Lloyd George is play
ing in the crisis was demonstrated
plainly to-day by the fact that he re-
manned in his office while the premier
conferred separately with the liberal and
conservative members of the cabinet
Mr.. Lloyd-George's policy had support
ers in both camps. His strongest liberal
friend. Lord Reading. carried messages
between the premiers councils and Mr.
Lloyd-George's desk.
1t was significant to onloolers. also,
that Mr. Bcnar Law refrained from at
tending the conservatives meeting with
Mr.. Asquith and Lord Curzon fastened
TO report to him at the colonial office i'm
mediatey the conference was ended
Mr. Asquiths retirement has taken the
politicians so by surprise that they are
not yet ready to predict the results The
possibility that Mr.. Asquith will consent
TO remain in the cabinet with Mr.. Bonar
Law. taking the pest of lord high chan
cellor. in which it has long been consid-
cred he might find a congenial berth, is
discussed.
Herbert Samuels promotion from the
home secretaryship to Reginald McKen-
mas position at the treasury is also pre-
dcted. while acceptance of the resigna-
lions of Viscount Grey and A. J. Bal
four, which some of the papers backing
Mr. Lloyd-George are demanding. is less
likely under Mr.. Bonar Laws regime
than if Mr. Lloyd George came into
power.
The labor party certainly will hold a
more important part in any new cabinet
than it has been filling in the old
The more sensational London papers
have enjoyed three or four days Of
almost frenzied excitement, with demands
md denunciations, often in LANGUAGE
stronger than the dignity of British poll
tics has permitted in tn" memory OF the
present generation, Tn" crucial events
,n Roumania ana Greco" nave been given
secondary place, except as they We're
used ds basis for attacks on the MN
listers.
THE strong man wins was the poster
Of the last edition Of the Evening News
which is Mr.. Lloyd-George s organ ana
"Asquith stands firm was the placar"
of the Liberal star,
Herbert Henry Asquith became the pre-
Ing Sir Henry pbel-Bannerman
Mr.. Asquith at once BEGAN a policy or
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, social ana consul
tutional-of radical nature, aided by
David lloyd-George, with whom To-Day
he apparently is at ODDS.
Shortly after the outbreak or the war
the liberal cabinet of Asquith began to
be assailed by it's political enemies, main
ticularly with regard to the naval branch