The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-18

London, Oct. fS.-(By The A.
 P.)-1he British political fever
 has now reached its height and
 there is every indication that the
 maintained for some days. Every
 body is guessing as to when the
 crisis will pass and what turn #
 will take but the answer is as yet unrefealed and the futrre re-
 mains obscure pending tomor-
 rows UniOnist meeting at the
 Carlton Club, which is expected to
 give the key to the problem.
 One anti-Coalition newspaper. the Daily Mail, today attributes to Prime Minister Lloyd George the definite statement that he will resign office if the Unionist meeting declares against Austen Chamberlain, whose outspoken adhes to the premier has aroused strong opposition in the party ranks.
 MT Lloyd Georges statement is said to have been made at a private meeting last night of the liberal min isters and under secretaries None of the papers nearest the premier. nor any ether, confirms this or professes to Erow cNa ctiy what passed at the meeting although all agree that support.
 Prenlier's Statements.
 Whether or not the premier made the declaration attributed to him, aJne of the best informed political correspc cndents believe he will resign if MT. Chamberlain is voted down at the Carlton Club. It would then be up to the king. in accordance with to invite the Conservative party to try it's hand at forming a cabinet.
 If, on the contrary, the meeting gives MT. Chamberlain anything ap- preaching strong support, the pre- nllef, it is reiterated will advise the king to dissolve parliament, and this being done. will appeal to the coun- try on Coalition ticket.
 Thus, if these nrODhetS correct the dissolution of parliament seems imminent in either case. and it is not carry on without the prominent and tried leaders who would quit the gov ernment with Chamberlain if he re- signs.
 Among the other reports published by the morning papers is one to the effect that the ministers started new efforts yesterday to ensure postpone ment of the general elections until of complete split in the Conservative party. Such a contingency, how ever, and one of the surest prospects of the present ferment seems to be a obiiterate some of Britain's oldest po- litical landmarks.
 To a foreigner sudde enly taking his initial survey of the situation, per- haps one of the strangest features of the British crisis would be the com parative absence from the columns of the principal daily newspapers of reports on the activities of the Labor party notwithstanding the announced intention of that party to put more than 400 candidates into the electoral field
 Labor certainly is mentioned, but the space given the Labor movement is trtfing compared to that devoted to the doings of the two older par | ties. There is no reason to sup | pose, however, that this reflects the amount of importance attaching to the 1 industrial attack On the various con- 1 stituencies.
 | Labor Marking Time. 1 The fact is that the Labor leaders i thus far have been less vocal than 1 their rivals, but they are known to be conducting an energetic campaign. Some of the political principles for | which Labor is fighting are already lwell known. They were put sue | cinctly by the moderate labor leader. | Arthur Henderson. in a speech yes- 'terday at Newport. Monmouth Shire,