The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-06

Bonar Law Refuses Office.
London, Dec. 6.-That Andrew Bo-
mar Law, unionist leader, had def
nitely declined the proffer from King
George, made last night, that he form
a new ministry, was authoritatively
stated today.
The apparent final and definite de-
cision of Bonar Law declining to ac-
ce the premiership and form a new
British cabinet is construed to mean
that David Lloyd-George will be
called upon to perform the task.
Extremist in War Policy.
LIoyd-George at the head of the
government has been the definite OBJ
jectiye of the Observation-Disclosures
whose purposes and aims have found
voice in the editorial columns of The
Times and the Northcliffe Press. b.
mar Law has thruout the present tur
MOL worked in complete harmony.
not only with Northcliffe, who is of
his own political faith, but with
Lloyd George, who is of the opposi-
ton.
The outstanding construction which
will be placed upon the selection of
Lloyd George will be that the British
government will turn an absolutely
deaf ear to all peace proposals. The
Welsh statesman will be counted on to
push the actual fighting by British
troops with the same driving force
and vigor that has characterized his
organization and development of the
British munitions output.
Not Political Intrigue.
London, Dec. 6.-Premier Asquith's
fall was due to public opinion, not to
political intrigue.
Lloyd-George's uncompromising at
titude of the past few days-an atti-
tude in which he was cordially sup
ported by such of his former political
opponents as Andrew Bonar Law and
Sir Edward Carson-was simply the
concrete expression of popular resent
ment at the ineptitude of the Asquith
coalition regiment. 1t presented the
profound and countrywide conviction
that an entire new deal was neces-
sary if the war was to be prosecuted
intelligently, theoretically and eff
GENTLY.
1t was the concrete expression of
tn, popular fear that England could
not win without such a step
Asquith Too Easy.
The position, indecision and vacilla-
ton regarding great war problems
which has characterized the admins
tration in months past, has been Curl
ously eXemplified in Asquith's per-
sonal handling of the cabinet crisis.
He did not finally give up hope of
averting it until he received an ulti-
matum from the unionists late yes
terday. This ultimatum followed
Lloyd-GeOrge'S definite refusal fur
Their to continue as a member of the
ministry. In it the unionists unqual-
ifiedly pledged their association sum-
moning Bonar Law, instead of Lloyd
George, to head the new ministry.
In rendering the premiership to
Bonar Law. King George followed
constitutional precedent. which re-
quires such proffer should first be
made to the leader of the largest
party in the house of commons.
If Bonar Law fails to form a min
istry, undoubtedly the task will next
fall on Lloyd-George. The retiring
minister of war and Sir Edward Car
son are in entire agreement with Bo-
mar Law. Both will assist him to the
fullest extent in his effort to form a
desirable cabinet, which it is generally
hoped will be non-partisan and ma
tional in character.
Harmonic Irish.
The whole situation today was a
melting pot of efforts. 1t is problem
atical how the Liberal, Labor and
Irish parties will line up. Sir Edward
Carson was credited with formulating
a spectacular coup for the purpose of
enlishing support of the Irish Nation
alists. whereby the whole of Ireland,
including Ulster. would be offered
home rule on the basis of consent by
the Nationalist to an extension of
CONSUMPTION to Ireland. The Carson
proposal, it was reported, would also
permit Ulster. after three years trial,