Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-04
Lloyd George to
Defer Resignation
Situation the Same

London, March S-(By A. P.)-
Premier Lloyd Georges threat to re-
sign has been suspended at the ur-
gent solicitation of his unionist COL
leagues in the cabinet, according to
an authoritative statement tonight,
but no justification for its withdrawal
In said to exist as yet.
Official denial is made that any
exact time limit has been fxed for
receiving assurances of loyalty to the
premier from the adherents of Sir
George Younger the unionist leader.
although It Is added that obviously
the tension cannot be extended in
definitely.
Meanwhile there is no indication Of
any move on the part Of the unionist
party to dethrone Younger as it's
head. No meeting OF the whole I'M
ionist party has been called and the
general opinion is that the only hap
pening will be that the unionist min
listers in the cabinet--Arthur ]. Bal
| four and Austen Chamberlain-may
reprove Younger publicly for his tao
tics, as Lord Birkenhead already has
done.
! Speaking at Oxford today Austen
Chamberlain announced that the
unionist ministers had unanimously
requested the premier to continue as
head Of the government.
Not the slightest repentance has
been shown yet by the "die hard"
conservatives. whose opinion to the
prime minister's leadership is pri-
jnarily responsible TOR the present
crisis. They are cooperating with
the Clsterites in the House of Com
mons in putting up a stiff fight
again the free state bill by present.
ing amendment after amendment.
The government program has next
I Thursday scheduled for third reading
of the measure. and owing 10 this de-
termined opposition, the government
| will on Monday propose suspension
of the rule whereby debate termin-
ates at II p. NJ. in order to get the
committee stage finished before the
night sitting ends.
In addition to this manifestation ot
| restiveness in the commons 1t is stat
ed that the unionist leaders are re-
ceiving from all over the country
communications promising loyal ad-
| herance to the unionst party, but
declining to extend that adherence to
the coalition. This is really approval
of the position assumed by Sir
George Younger and the present in
dications are that the party will re-
fuse to dispose its leader.
| Sir Laming Worthington- Evans,
secretary for war, in a speech at
Colchester tonight revealed that the
| premier lately offered to retire from
the government and support in carry
ing out its unfinished program, but
all the conservative members of the
! government assured him of their sup
| port and begged that he continue
| In the endless speculation about the
| crisis there is much insstence on the
view that Mr.. Lloyd George has ar
rived at point in his political career
where he mu t define whittier his flu
ture path viii lead--toward liberalism
or conservatism. Since he became
leader of the coalition under the alb
norman circumstances of war. requir-
ing national, not party policy, his
political coloring has been in abey-
ance. If the coalition now disap-
pears, it is argued he must elect 10
attack himself 10 one party or the
other.
According TO some beliefs. his pres
cnt action is bid for leadership OF
the unionist party, and if this fails.
there are two alternates before him
hrst, to form new centrst party
and. second. TO try to go back to lead
ership OF the liberal or liberal labor
party.