New-York tribune., 1922-03-04
Failure of Unicnists in
Cabinet to Swing Fol-
lowers Into Line Likely
to ForceHimOut at Once
Conservatives Trv
TO Hold Premier In
UniOnists Demand dLeadcr
Heed Their Advice: 90
in House Opposition;
BalfourW ont TakePost
By Arthur S. Draper
y i@10EJCI
From The Triburc's Eurorcou B,r~ou

'S"S A''c '''CHfS l,uFOTrGt Bureau
Copyright. 1922. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, March 3.-Despite ef-
forts of the three Unionists in Pre-
mler Lloyd Georges Cabinet to
swing their revolving followers back
INTO line, the overflow of the min
Istry within week is now expected
IN many quarters. The Premier has
served notice on the Unionsts that
they must choose between him and
Sir George Younger, leader of the
irrcconcilables, before next Wednes-
day or he will hand his resignation
to the King that day. but tonight
it is predicted that Lloyd George
will quit this week end.
Crisis Unchecked
The Cabinet Conservatives have
reiterated their faith in the Premier.
but on account of the schism that
has arisen in the Unionist party and
the inability of this Cabinet trio to
speak for tie rebels led by Younger
the crisis still remains.
Austen Chamberlain, Unionist srokes-
man Tor the government in the House
OF Commons, in a speech at Oxford
tonight, clarified the part he had taker,
with Lord Chancellor Birkenhead and
Arthur j. Balfour, in upholding the
coalition as against the rebel move
ment. He revealed that the Unioniss
party leaders in the Cabinet had ad-
vised Lloyd george of thefr unanimous
opinion that national interests would
be injured and not served by his res
ignation. There was nothing, how4
ever, in the Unionist communication to
the Premier to assure him that the re-
volt against the coalition that started
in the rank and file Of the party could
be checked by its leaders, particularly
by the three Conservatives in the Cabi-
net. There has never been any ques-
ton but that this trio favored q con-
tnuation of the present Cabinet group
ing.
Chamberlain Reveals Situation
Chamberlain in his speech. gave
different version of the political de-
velopm ents of the last few days than
has been generally accepted here. He
asserted that several days ago Lloyd
George repeated to him the offer the
Premier made when Chamberlain sue
ceeded Andrew Bonar Law. In view Of
the friction in the Unonst ranks,
Lloyd George offered to resign and
from the outside continue to support
the Unionists carrying on the govern
ent national policies, Chamberlain
said.
The Premier refused to accept
Cham berlain's personal assurances that
the Unionists we're satisfied with Lloyd
Georges leadership and asked him to
consult his Conservative colleagues.
Having done so. Chamberlain said. he
had written the Premier saying that
the Unionists valued Lloyd Georges
leade -ship in the Cabinet and the CO
operation of his Liberal colleagues, and
relieved that no party government
would be able to surmount the Difficult
ties of the present situation as well rs
Il coalition.
1t is pointed out here tonight. how
ever. that the Unonist revolt was the
result of pressure brought upon Sir
George Younger from below. II re-
mains to be seen whether Lloyd George
can survive only on the strength Of
assurances of his Conservative Minis
ters, who have never been in sympathy
with the revolt movement.
General Election Forecast
Sir Laming Worthington- Evans, Sec
retary for War, speaking at Colchester
tonight, said he felt that the coalition
ought TO be continued, but tina. it was
not impossible that the Unionists would
be called upon to form Cabinet o.
their own, and in that event general
election would have 10 be held.
The majority of the Unionsts arc
questionably against the continua-
ton of the coalition form of govern
ment unless Lloyd George will listen
moic attentiyely to the views Of their
parts. The Morning Post" which
speaks IL. -he extremists of the party.
refers to tre Premier as a radica! So
ciaist who is Csft TO represent the
Conservatives.
Members of Lloyd Georges inner
circle Of friends say that he is de-
ever and that he will resign before he
will wear the yoke that the Conserva-
tives are trying to put on him.
Two developments to-day point to
coming election. "The Times" an
nounced reduction in price because
an election 'is imminent" Sir Gordon
Hewart, Attorney General, is quitting
the Cabinet to become Lord Chief
Justice. These two facts. particularly
Sir Gordon's move, that is supposed to
indicate his belief that the days of the
coalition are numbered, are regarded
as indicative of the direction of the
political winds.
Sixty Votes in Opposition
The growth in the opposition to the
Cabinet was noticeable in the Irish
bill debate in the House of Commons
to-day. Although only sixty votes
were cast against the government in
one test, this did not begin to incl<-.e
n,any members wha. have lost symretkS
with Lloyd George. Snvuld all tho
various opposition groups find singls
complaint in common, they would comd
close to having majority in the
House. Il
Lloyd George perhaps is the most
pugnacious leader in British public
life. but it is said in some quarters