Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-20

SEEK ELEVATION
OF LLOYD-GEORGE
Unionists Threaten Over
throw of Andrew Bonar
Law as Leader
CARSON DIRECTS plot"
Liberals and Laborites Conf
dent Asquith Would Win
in Election

LONDON. April 20.-Premier Asquith's
almost unprecedented action in referring
openly from his place on the Treasury
bench in the House of Commons yester-
day to the fact that disagreements eN-
listed within the Cabinet left members of
Parliament petrhed with the gravity OF
the crisis How involved the situation is
can scarcely be more than indicated.
Early in the day the conscriptionist
members of the Cabinet, in an effort to
overthrow yesterdays compromise tried
a last big attempt to stampede majority
of the Cabinet. The two main weapons
used were the possibility of Sir William
Robertson, who possesses, the complete
confidence of the country, following the
conscriptionists' lead and sending In his
resignation The other was that vlrtu-
ally the entire Unionist party, under the
auspices of Sir Edward Carson was ready
to overthrow Bonar Law, their leader
in the Cabinet, unless he ranged himself
on the side of absolute compulsion. Mr.
Lloyd-George, the spokesman of this party
in the Cabinet, relied for further support
on such notabiltles as Lord Miner, Lord
Derby, Lord Beresford and Lord Sails
bury.
ANXIOUS FOR UNITY.
If it had not been for the fact that a
majority Of the Cabinet, especially the
most influential element. including Pre-
mer Asquith eX-Premer Balfour and Mr..
Bonar Law, are most anxious to maintain
unity, there is no doubt that the resigna-
tions of the conscriptionists would have
been accepted then and there. A great
factor weighing with them is the unfavor
able impression which would be created
in neutral capitals either by the entire fall
or by public divisions in the Cabinet. They
are ready to go to the utmost limit to pre-
serve unityy. Moreover, they realize the
strength of the feeling throughout the
country in favor of the present ministry
remaining intact.
The key to the problem Is Andrew
Bonar Law. AS head of the Unionist party
he is the chief factor in keeping the coali-
tion together. He finds his adherence to
the temporary compromise on the compul-
sion question has entirely undermined his
strength through Sir Edward Carson hav-
ing sidetracked practically the whole
strength of the Unionist party into an out
and out declaration in favor of national
conscriptlon. If he remains in the Cabinet
he will be leader without following; II
he resigns then the coalition Is bound TO
break up. Mr.. Bonar Laws resignation
would inevitably be followed in loyalty by
that of the other Unionist members of the
Cabinet, like Lord Lansdowne, Austen
Chamberlain, Walter Long and Lord Rob-
ert Cecil.
This state of affairs has given Mr. Lloyd
George who has been woTiiing hand in
glove with Sir Edward Carson, practical
control of the situation. and the formation
of a coalition ministry in which the Union
lists would be the predominant party, but
of which Mr.. Lloyd George would be the
head, is being actively canvassed, though
the best Informed opinion Is that such a
combination is impossible.
COUNTRY FAvoRs AsoUITH.
Members of Parliament who are able
to test the country's feeling by COM
from their constituents state
that the burden of all remarks Is greater
energy in the conduct of the war from the
present ministry No one believes that an
alternative administration, headed by NJ.
yd-George, Sir Edward Carson or Lord
Miner would be able either to hold its
ground or do better than the present ad-
If the Uniunsts withdrew from the CO.
altlon Mr.. Asquith would try to form
a Liberal-Labor ministry, which, because
no majority in the House of
would be obliged to go to
election. 1t would then be con-
test between these forces and unofficial
Unionists. with the present Unionist
leaders who control the party organization
aloof.
Political experts believe there can be |
only one ending to such battle. namely |
that Premier Asquith would secure virtu- |
ally the unanimous support of the coun-
try The feeling of anger against the |
wreckers is far more acute than the feel
ing that the present Cabinet is not suffi-
ciently energetic, All this would result in |
Premier Asquith emerging stronger than |
ever and able to form a powerful min
istry.
The most significant point of all is that |
the Liberal and Labor party organizations |
throughout the country are beginning to- |
day to prepare for an election early in |
May.