Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-24
ANDREW BoNAR Law
IS TREMENDOUSLY
NAMED As premier
Is First Canadian Born Prime
Minister of Great Britain
To Swear in New Cabinet on
Wednesday - Dissolution Of
Parliament on Day Follow
ing-General Elections on
Nov. 15-Policy of New Pre-
mier Unknown

London, Oct. 23.-(By A. P.)-An-
drew Bonar Law today, in the ira
ditional phrase of the court circular,
kissed hands upon his appointment
as prime minister and first lord of
the treasury" and thus becomes
England's first Canadian born prem
Ter.
Today was devoted to the formal
tiles necessary in mOnarchical
country to change in the govern
ment
The King will hold privy council
probably Wednesday, if the prime
minister has by then compelled his
ministry, for the swearing in of the
new ministers The King will. on
the advice of the prime minister,
proclaim the dissolution of pallia
ment Thursday and, according to
present arrangements, elections will
be held November To-
Mr.. Bonar Law is understood to
have his cabinet list almost COM
pleted and it is expected the COM
position of the ministry will be an
nounced tomorrow. 1t is the almost
universal opinion tina the succeeds to
most difficult and onerous task,
and many miSgivings are heard
whether his health will stand the
inevitable strain, but he has made
it quite clear that if he finds his
health unequal to the task, he shall
be allowed quietly to step aside.
The situation is unique in the an
nails of British politics, inasmuch as
with only three weeks to the election
date, none of the leaders has yet an
nounced his policy; each side APP
pears to be waiting on the other.
The only question before the cleo
torate is whether they wish to be
governed by a coalition. But that
cannot properly be described as an
election plank, because, except in
the quite unanticipated result Of a
tremendous landslide in favor of one
particular party. it is almost certain
that no party will be returned strong
enough to form a government with
out the cooperation of some other
party.
Mr.. Bonar Law confirms that Ire
land is an agreed question:, and he
further intimated CLEARLY and frankly
at the Unionist meeting today that
tariff reform or protection would not
form an item of his policy. And
since Mr.. Lloyd George has announc-
ed himself as Il free trader this
question cannot come to the front,
as both the Liberal and Labor parties
are in favor of the free trade. The
prime minister promises to define
his policy in his coming speech at
Glasgow. but. pudging from his re-
marks today. it will not be of an
eventful character.
Previous to the breakdown of !. is
health, which forced him temporarily
to retire from politics, Mr.. Bonar Law
was a very close friend of Mr. Lloyd
George and was identified with the
entire coalition policy; it is there
fore, practically impossible that he
can, In any important measure, ,e-
verse this policy. Thus. unless Mr..
Lloyd George should take a strong
turn in his policy, there will be little
difference between the policies of the
two men.
The contest seems likely to be one
of personalities, of men. rather than
measures, so far as these two parties
are concerned.
The Free Liberals and the Labor
ties, have. of course, well defined
policies. and, according to present
indications, are resolutely opposed
to any cooperation with Lloyd George
even should the former premier seek
reconciliation with either of them.