The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-20
BONAR LAW TAKES
Up NEW DUTIESAS
PRIME MINISTER
Lloyd George Resigns After
Holding Office Through
Seven Critical Years of
British History


London, October 19-After hold
ing the office Of prime minister
through seven of the most critical
years of British history-three years
Of war and four years of reconstruc-
tion-David Lloyd George went into
the wilderness today
This was the description in his
Manchester speech of his position if
the unionist wing Of his followers
should desert him. U9ionists with
drawal from the coalition was de-
eided on today by the meeting which
Austen Chamberlain had called at
the Carlton club. and which was at
tended by the coalition members of
the House of Commons and handful
of lords, who were enrolled in the
cabinet.
The vote was 1Se to 81 against the
Chamberlain policy Of pledging the
party to sustain the coalition and in
faser OF i general election to confirm
It's course. The meeting was followed
by succession of swift events which
carried the coalition government into
outer darkness.
Andrew Bonar Law will put ON
the prime minister's mantle for Il
short term OF office. The King
summoned him TO buckingham
palace late this evening and in
vited him 10 form new govern
ment, which MIR. BOnar LAW will
undertake, although the state of
his health which compelled him
to withdraw from public life
few months ago makes II Il risky
venture.
Nr. Laws Power
Before Bonar Law can formally ae-
eept the premiership. however.
meeting Ct the unionist party must
be held to elect new leader to carry
out the policy 10 be decided by eau
Gus. This meeting will be held with
In a few days, when Bonar Law viii
be chosen
Between the Carlton club meeting
and Bonar Laws visit to the King il
was a seething afternoon of rumors
and Of group gatherings among the
political factions. Austen Chamber
lain first visited the prime minister's
official residence in Downing street.
gnation. several under secretaries
and the chief coalition-union whip.
Lieut.. Col. Leslie Wilson. had already
Informed the newspapers that they
had resigned. and within two hours
Lloyd George was in possession of
the designations of practically all the
members of the cabinet, He then
TO tho King.
Lloyd George advised the King IA.
summon Benar Law. and RctordiIl5.s
to custom, this was done. While LloYu
George exhibited cheerfuln ,ss to the
few who saw him and cheer sd him on
his journey to the palace, he could
not but feel deeply the verdict that
he no ldnger commanded the support
&C the majority of the unionist party
which for the past few months had
furnished the strongest material for
his cabinet.
Lord Curzon's Part
II was Bonar Law. more than any
other man. who influenced the union
list caucus 10 secede from the coa1i-
ton. He had been a sphinx whom
the rank and file OF the unionist com
moners were waiting to hear. He is
a serious and Unconditional man with
quiet manner. His opinion that II
was more important to keep the party
together than to win the next cleo
tlon, and whether by his own fault
or the force Of circumstances Lloyd
George has lost the confidence of the
country" decided many votes. There
was also strong feeling In the party
that the Chamberlain plan, which
gave the partys destinies over to the
small faction representing 1t in Par
Lament was not a fair device.
The last straw which weighed in
the scale was the Newport election
in which a straight uniCnist candf-
date won on platform of opposition
TO the coalition and all its works.
although the politicians thought the
labor party had n safe prospect in
that constituency.
bonsr Law will have Lord Curzon
for one of the pillars of his cabinet.
Curzon remained away from the eau
Gus today but sent a letter of pre-
test against the exclusion Of the
lords.