The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-06
Lloyd-I;eoree' Determined
Stand Against Prime Minis
ter Forces Him Out
LAW HAS NOT YET
ACCEPTED PROFFER
Lloyd George Has Also Re-
signed. But British Empire
MayTurn to Him-He Urges
Vigorous Pressing of War

tLondon, Dec 5.--The Asquith min
estry has collapsed. The prime min
istry has been offered TO \ Bonar
Law All England awaits his decision
tonight
For David Lloyd George is ready
and eager TO heed summons from
I. the King.
Mr.. Asquith relinquished his post
when even the English press con-
ceded that he had triumphed once
again In the role OF peacemaker, The
pressure became too great. The task
seemed hopeless.
Mr.. Asquith went TO King George
and asked to be relieved
He returned and placed the prime
ministers commission in the hands OF
Bonar Law.
Then summons came from the King
and Bonar Law was formally rendered
the opportunity to form new minis
try.
b When Mr., Law eft the presence OF
the King he would make no an
nouncement of his plan.
!. Tonight there are grave doubts as
To his acceptance. II he were To de-
cline England. even as II WAS forced
10 turn to Kitchener at the outbreak
OF the war. would be compelled to
turn 10 Iloyd-George.
Mr. Law who, for years az Con
servativc party leader. harasscd the
premier: who eoadca him some times
also beyond the point OF endurance.
tonight finds himself with the chief
prize within his grasp. And he Is
frankly In doubt as to his ability TO
rise TO the demands II makes.
lloyd George Has No Such Fears.
Lloyd -JsSarrRe has no such mtsgtv-
anEs His attitude recalls that Of Pitt.
who honestly believed he was the one
man TO save the empire and who did
not hesitate to voice his opinion.
England tonight is fully awake to
tho fact that her whole attitude tow
ard the great war IL In the balance.
II hangs on the decision of Bonar
Law
II new coalition ministry can be
formed, Bonar Law will do It, Thus
he will redeem the promise OF the
then Premier Asquith, made in the
Commons yesterday. that the war
policy would not be altered. But If
Lloyd George beoames the f1rSt lord
Of the treasury. which carries with
II the premiers place. the war will
be prosecuted with a new vigor. The
eastern school will have the COM
piete ascendency. The cabinet will
be composed OF men who will have a
/
Tonight there is some talk OF a gen.
etral election. II Bonar Law consents
to accept the portfolio 1t may be as
m expedient But the sentiment Of
the people Is opposed to a referendum
now So many OF England's men are
Mt the front that a general election,
In It's true sense. presents almost in
surmountable differences AMI an cleo
ton with the suffrage extended only
"a those that are at home would not
b general.
A nex government will ask hs man.
date from the Commons II the people
have their way. But some are reason
\ lnx that the ovation to the Premier
yesterday argues for q vote Of con-
Adence which might mean a continu-
|. alton Of his policies. II not his actual
return 70 power.
TIE news Of the resignation of
Premier Asauith came in the form OF
m announcement in tho court circular.
All day there had been constant oom-
angs and goinEs Of the various politi-
cal leaders to Downing Street and to
che various government departments.
Mr. Asquith met several Unionist lead
I ers, among them Earl Curzon. Lord
Robert Cecil and the Earl of Derby.
The absence from these conferences
~ Bonar Law. J. Austen hamberlain
and Walter Hume Long was marked.
Mr.. Balfours absence was explained
by his illness.
Late in the afternoon the premier
met his supporters, among them Wis
count Grey, Lewis Harcourt, Edwin s.
Montagu, the Marquis Of Crewe, Regi-
tContinued on Third Pa9a>