New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-20
Crisis Postponed Until
Tuesday-Lloyd George
Remains Stubborn.
COUNTRY AT LARGE
SUPPORTS PREMIER
New Coalition. More UniOnist in
Color, Headed by Minister of
Munitions. Canvassed.
BY ARTHUR :. DRAPER.


London, April 10. Premier Asquith
speaking in the House Of Commons 10.
day, announced that there were still
some material points OF disagreement,
in the Cabinet with regard to universal
military service. and that if these were
not settled before Tuesd y next the re
suit must be the breakup of the Coali-
Ion government formed almos. year
ago. The Cabinet IS united in its be-
lief" he added that such an event
would be national disaster" Minis
;ers were in session for three hours be-
fore the Premier made his announce
ment
The Prime Minister'S almost IN
precedented action in referring openly
from his place on the Treasury bench
20 the fact that disagreements existed
within the Cabinet left Members Of
Parliament petrihed with the gravity
of the crisis. How involved the situs-
ton is can scarcely be more than in
dicated.
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. Thc two main
weapons used were the possibility OF
Sir William Robertson, who possesses
the complete confidence of the country,
following the conscrptionists' lead and
sending in his resignation. The Other
was that practically the entire Union
list party, under the auspices OF SIR Ed
ward Carson, was ready 10 overthrow
Mr.. Bonar Law. their leader IN the
Cabinet, unless ne ranged himself on
the side OF absolute compulsion. Mr.
Lloyd George, the spokesman OF TINS
party in the Cabinet. relied for further
support on such notsbilities as Lord
Miner. Lord Derby, Lord Bcrestord
and Lord Salisbury.
The key to the problem is Andrew
Bonar Law. As head OF the lnlonist
party he is the chief factor IN keeping
The coalition together He finds his ad-
herence 20 the temporary compromise
on the compulson question has entire
IL undermined his strength through SIR
Edward Carson having sldetracked
practically the whole strength OF the
Unionist party into an out and out dec
laration in favor of national conscrip-
ton. II he remains IN the Cabinet he
will be a leader without following; II
ne resigns then the coalition is bound
10 break up. Mr.. Bonar Laws resigna-
ton would inevitably be followed IN
LOYALTY by that of the other Unionlst
members OF the Cabinet, such as Lora
Lansdowne. Austen Chamberlain, wal
ter Long and Lord Robert Cecil.
This state Of affairs has given Mr..
Ilovd George. who has been working
hand in glove with Sir Edward Carson,
practical control Of the situation, and
Inc formation OF a coalition ministry IN
which the Unionists would be the pre-
dominant party, but Of which Mr.
LLOYD George would be the head. IS be
ING actively canvassed. though the best
informed opinion is that such COM
bination is impossible.
Members of Parliament who are able
70 test the, country's feeling by com
rnnnications from their constituents
state that the burden Of all remarks IS
greater energy in the conduct OF the
war from the present ministry.