The Washington herald., 1916-12-06
ASQUITH QUITS
PRIME MINISTRY;
TASK HOPELESS
Office of Premier Offered to
Bonar Law Lloyd George
Eager to Rule
MAY ORDER ELECTION
Collapse Of Minister Duo 10 Dispute
Over War Council
Control
By the I.ter.atis..I New. sery4ssy

CBy the InternattonaI Newu Serv1seJ
London. Dec 6.LThe Asqutth ru4utstg
has collapsed The prime ministry hss
been offered to A Bonar Law. An Eng
land awaits his decision tonight. for
David Lloyd George is ready and eagsr
to heed a summons from the King.
A. Asquith relinquished his post when
even the English press conceded that he
had triumphed once again in the role OF
peace maker. The pressure became too
great The task seemed hopeless Mr..
Asquith went 70 King George and asked
to be relieved. He returned and placed
the prime minister's commission in the
hands of Bonar Law.
Then a summons came from the King
and Bonar Law was formally rendered
the opportunity to form q new ministry.
When Mr.. Law left the presence OF the
king he would make no announcement
OF his plans. Tonight there are grave
doubts as to his acceptance. II he were
TO decline, England. even as she was
forced to turn to Kitchener al the out
break of the war. would be compelled 90
turn to Lloyd George.
Doubtful Over Ability.
Mr.. Law. who for years as Conserva-
tive party leader. harassed the premier,
who goaded him sometimese almost be-
yond the point Of endurance, tonight nnda
himself with the chief prize within his
grasp. And he is frankly IN doubt as
to his ability 10 rise to the demands n
makes
Lloyd George, the Radical, has no such
misgfvings- His attitude recalls that ot
Pitt. who honestly believed be was the
one man to save the empire and who oid
not hesitate to voice his opinion.
England tonight Is fully awake TO the
fact that her whole attitude toward tia
great war Is in the balance II hangs
on the decision OF BonAr Law.
II a new coalition ministry can be
formed. Bonar Law win do II Thus he
will redeem the promise Of TIE then Pre-
nier Asauith. made i7 Ga oommons yes-
terday. that the war policy would not bs
altered
May Mean Vigorous FoLicy.
But II Lloyd George becomes ne nrvt
lord Of the treasury. which carries with
It the premier's place, the war vm b
prosecuted with a new vigor. The sase-
ern school will have the corplete -.
tendency. The cabinet win be composed
OF men who have a radically nsv wsy
policy in mind.
Tonight there is some talk OF q reD-
eraI election. II Bonar Law consents Do
accept the portfolio, II may be as an er-
pedient But the sentiment Of the people
is opposed to a referendum now.
So many OF Englsnd's men are at the
front that a general election. in its true
sense, presents almost insurmountabls
difficulties. and an election with the suf-
frage extended only to those that are At
home would not be general
Drafts His Resignation.
A new government will ask its rnandate
from the commons, II the people have
their way. But some are reasoning that
the ovation to the premier yesterday
argues for a vote OF confidence which
might mean a continuation Of his poll
cies II not his actual return TO power.
Earlier in the day Lloyd George drafted
his resignation. 1t is the common belief
that this action forced Mr.. Asquith's de-
termination to abandon the night
Lord Georges resignation was his pro-
test against the domination by the pre-
mier OF the proposed war council.
Mr.. Asquith took the position that the
premier could not tolerate the position
of being kept out OF the Craftsmanship OF
that council
Lloyd George made no argument. He
simply resigned.