The Washington herald., 1916-12-09
ASQUITH STANDS
. BEHIND GEORGE
Former Premier Makes Impas-
stoned Plea for Support
of His Successor.

By the International News Serviee.)
London. Dec. S-spite and vengeance
are not in the makeup of Herbert N.
Asquith.
He proved this today when in an I'M
passioned plea for unity he called upon
the liberal party. Of which he Is the
header. to forget all personal grievances
and to rally. for the sake of the nation.
around the man who forty-etght hours
ago overthrow him and his government.
Whatever ministry David Lloyd George
forms. the ex-premier urged. should have
the unqualified. whole-hearted support OF
the Liberal party. He himself would do
whatever I can to facilitate the task
which has fallen into other hands" I"
said he.
In the midst of the most sensational
government shake-up England has seen
since the outbreak of the war, this ex-
hibition Of self-affacement and patriotism
tonight stirred the press and public OF
the United Kingdom to enthusiastic ad-
miration-
Probable Slate Given.
Apart from this inspiring incident the
day brought no concrete Developments
tending to settle the question as to how
far Lloyd George has progressed In his
work Of forming a new coalition ministry.
Late tonight the best bet' was seen
in this slate:
Chancellor of the Exchequer. An
drew Bonar Law.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs. A. ].
Balfour.
First Lord Of the Admiralty. Sir
Edward Carson.
Secretary for. war. Lord Derby
Secretary ~ Labor, Arthur Hen
derson.
Other forecasts coming from usually
well informed circles name Bonar Law
for the admiralty; Balfour for the colo
mics: Curzon for the foreign secretary
ship and Lord Reading for the Lord
Chancellorship. Winston Churchill was
prominently mentioned for the presidency
Of the board of trade to succeed Walter
Runciman.
The premier is expected to submit this
full list to the King sometime tomorrow.
Details leaked out today about yester-
days conference between the new prime
minister and the labor leaders. Lloyd
George, it is said laid before his visitors
a program Of reform so sweeping that
some timid voices were raised expressing
fOrebodings of opposition to measures
that might be too radical
To Mobolixe Resources.
These were the principal steps fore
shadowed by the new premier: g.
The fullest possible mobilization OF the
nations industrial and economic re-
sources.
Establishment Of a ministry of labor
to be such not only in name but in au-
thority and deeds.
Naturalization of all mines and ship
ping and possibly of all railroads.
Representation OF labor at the peace
conference following the end of the war.
Industrial mobilization did not appeal
to all those present. Some suggested that
this would mean Industrial conscription.
Right then and there Lloyd George
displayed his frmness of purpose and
made 1t clear that selfish objections on
the ground of individual liberty" would
not stop him in his path of reform.
Diplomatic as his reply was, its substance
was little short OF "supposing it did mean
this; it must be done
Mr.. Asquths appeal to the Liberals
came at 4 party meeting at which he
presided. Those who< had expected the
former premier to launch into a vitriol
tirade against his successor, were sorely
disappointed Instead OF urging a fight
to the finish on the wreCker of his ca BIZ
net, the prime minister preached a ser
mon of patriotism Calmly, suavely. with
not the slightest inkling of grudge, or
d:sgruntlement, he made his confession
Of faith.