Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-06
ASQUITH RESIGNS
Continued from Page One)

handing, is less likely under Mr. Bon
ar Laws regime than if Mr.. Lloyd
George came into power.
| The Labor party certainly will hold
more important part in any new
cabinet than it has been filling in the
old.
The more sensational London papers
have enjoyed three or four days of al
most frenzied excitement, with de-
mands and denunciations, often in Ian
guage stronger than the dignity of
British politics has permitted in the
memory of the present generation. The
crucial events in Rumania and Greece
nave been given secondary place.
except as they were used as a basis
! for attacks on the minister's
THE strong man wins" was the
poster Of the last edition of the Eve
ming News, which is Mr.. LLOYD
Georges organ, and "Asquith stands
firm" was the placard of the Liberal
Star.
Premier Meets Supporters
Later in the afternoon the premier
met his supporters, including Viscount
Grey. Lewis Harcourt, Edwin S. Mon
tasue, the Marquis of Crew, Reginald
Mckenna. Walter Runciman, Lord
Buckmaster, H. Samuel. Lord Read
ing and Arthur Henderson.
The meeting lasted for more than an
hour and it is supposed that Mr.. Asquith
explained that he was faced by almost IN
superable obstacles to the reconciliation
of the conflicting interests and intended
to tender his resignation. Almost i'm
medately the premier drove to the PAL
ace and had an audience with the King
Reason for Resignation
The precise reason which determined
Mr.. Asquith to give up the power is not
yet known, but 1t is surmised to be the
insistence of the Lloyd George faction
that he relinquish the real direction or
affairs into the hands of a small cabinet
directorate.
1t is now remarked that when Mr. As
quith was asked in the House of Com
mons yesterday if a food dictator had
been appointed he replied sharply: II
don't like a food Dictator
There is much talk tonight of the nos
sibilities of a general election Mr.. b.
mar Law would first form cabinet. IL
he takes office, as it is necessary that
the government be carried on, and then
appeal to the electors for ratification
Of his administration.
There is strong opposition. however.
to any political campaign which must
necessarily divert the country's energies
from the war work while 1t lasted and
the new government may decide to go
ahead with the approval Of the House
OF Commons only and not Of the voters.
The Retiring Premier
Herbert Henry Asquith became pre-
mier of Great Britain in 1908, succeeding
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman.
Mr.. Asquith at once began a policy Of
accomplishments social and consti-
tutional-of radical nature, aided by
David Lloyd George, with whom today
he is apparently at odds.
Shortly after the outbreak of the war
the Liberal cabinet of Asquith began to
be assailed by its political enemies main
ly on the conduct of the war, and par
ticularly with regard to the naval branch
of the British forces. So bitter was this
campaign that on May Is, 1915, a coalition
cabinet was formed with Asquith. how
ever. retaining the portfolio of prime min
lister.
The present political crisis apparently
has its origin In similar situation, es-
pecially on account of the government $
postponement Of consideration of the
British war boards demand for fuller
powers to meet the situation created by
German air raids on England, the re-
ant ~S,o In, xHA
ish fleet by which Vice Admiral Sir Da-
vid Beatty was made head of the Grand
fleet and especially Mr.. Lloyd Georges
demand for smaller war council which