Evening star., 1922-10-13

escape his share Of the responsibility
for the course which has been fol-
lowed.
Contfnuanee Inevitable.
Mr.. Chamberlain Is represented As
being convinced that continuance Of
inevitable. as no party Is likely to
emerge from an election with an In
dependent majority. Moreover. 1t is
stated that he would in any case re-
fuse to lead the party against his
colleagues in the cabinet. with whom
for whom he cherishes close personal
friendship. This being so. eonserva-
tives say, he must quit his leadership,
for they have done with Lloyd George
and all his policies.
The Morning Post, mouthpiece of
the more extreme tories, cites this
view badly in an editorial today.
Mr.. Chamberlain, 1t says, Is putting
loyalty to the premier before loyalty
to his party. and he cannot continue
his adherence to Lloyd George with :
out resigning his leadership. The
newspaper admits that the resigna-
tion OF Mr.. Chamberlain would seri-
ously injure the conservatives. but
says the party finds 1t more and more
difficult to confide In his political
Trsnsference Of the leadership to
Is much discussed. Lord Derby is
said to be determined to discontinue
his support Of the coalition. but de-
clines either to confirm or deny the
report. Mr.. Bonar Law Is also
credited with intention to oppose an
other coalition government.
Much Interest i'm Speech.
The key to the whole situation. ac-
cording to many observers. is Mr..
f~sr h ia
at Birmingham today is awaited with
intense interest.
Excitement in political quarters
continues at fever heat, the only uni
versally admitted fact Of the situa-
ton being that Mr.. Lloyd George has
no intention Of resigning.
Though an early general election is
expected. 1t is believed it is more
likely to take place in the spring
than in the present year. as there
are weighty technical difficulties in
the way OF election in November Or
December.
The frst is the necessity of ratiflca-
ton Of the Irish constitution by the
Westminster parliament. which re-
assemblies on November IA. The Irish
trsatv automatically lapses on De-
cember IL and 1t Is considered al
most inconceivable that the prime
minister would resign or dissolve
ton is ratified. The revolt Of the
conservatives against Mr. Lloyd
George is largely based on his Irish
policy. the die hards." never having
forgiven what they denounce as his
surrender to the Irish rebels. For this
reason it is supposed the premier
would not likely risk submitting this
policy to the chances Of new par
i, lament, with the possible. though i'm
probable. accession of new con-
scrvat!ve government.
With regard to December elections.
there is general feeling against
general election this year because
il would interfere with Christmas
l1trade unless held very early in the
month, which is hardly possible. as 1t
!. is expected the d. bate on near east
ern affairs will p-ecede the Irish
debate, thus preventing 4 speedy
winding up OF the session.
There was considerable speculation
IN political circles today when King
George gave an audience to the prime
minister as to whether the latter
would raise the question of calling d
general election. II was stated in
Downing street. however, that Mr..
Lloyd George was merely reporting
on the near eastern situation and
would not touch upon domestic poll
ties.