Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-13
BRITISH COALITION
OFFSET TO LABOR
Chamberlain Says Change In
Government Now Would
Be Criminal
AYERS NATION IS MENACED
By Associated Press


Birmingham. Eng. Oct. 13.--Austcn
Chamberlain. the Government leader,
addressing the Midland Conservative
Club here today, declared It would be
criminal to break up the present coali-
ton in view Of the labor menace.
II don't pretend to say when an
election will occur" said Mr.. Cham
berlain. II expect it is the undoubted
right of the Prime Minister to choose
At another point Mr.. Chamberlain
said:
II have worked with Mr.. Lloyd
George in perfect harmony. He has
told us 4 know not when an election
will come.
Mr.. Chamberlain's speech had been
eagerly awaited in the hope he would
indicate what the Prime Minister'S
political stand would he in the event of
general election, and how far the
Conservatives, Of whom Mr.. Chamber
lain Is the leader, would support Mr..
Lloyd George.
MIR. Chamberlain's declaration in
favor of continuation of the coalition
was Immediately seized upon by many
hearers MS meaning that the Prime
Minister would fight for the coalition
and that Mr.. Chamberlain would give
him support.
Mr.. Chamberlain declared that
within the last few weeks the threat
of direct action had been raised again.
IL do not pretend to say in what
circumstances and conditions the CO.
operation between ourselves and our
present allies can best be obtained In
new Parliament he declared.
of great conviction" he added, that
union should be OF first consideration
union in the face of the common foe
IF the advice given me on such sub
jects is not wholly and absolutely
wrong-and for myself I am convinced
that it is right-there will be no pos.
sbility in new Parliament of any
government carrying on except by
coalition drawn from more than one
party he continued.
Mr.. Chamberlain said the Primo
Minister had acted with perfect 10y
atty toward his Unionist allies. The
speaker defended his own action. as
leader of the Unionists, in supporting
the Government. and he defended the
Governments foreign policy on the
ground that It had prevented the war
in Asia Minor from spreading into
Europe.
II do not know when the election
may come continued Mr.. Chamber
lain. but when it does come the
new House of Commons will be very
different from the present House. If
the Labor Party obtains majority it
will be the responsibility of those con-
could not take q broad view Of their
responsibilities at moment Of national
danger.
at an election union should be our
first consideration.
London, Oct. 13.-Discussion Of the
political crisis fills the principal columns
of the newspapers again this morning.
The outstanding feature of the situation
is an increased indication of hardening
of conservative opposition to Austen
Chambcrlnin's continuance as leader of
Cnionist Party unless he cuts loose
from Prime Minister Lloyd George and
the coalition.
That he will do this Is regarded in
best informed quarters as altogether
unlikely. 1t is recalled that he has
been in close agreement with Lloyd
George on all the great political ques-
tions since the beginning of their as
friends that he cannot and does not
wish to escape his share of the re-
sponsibility for the course which has
been followed.
Mr.. Chamberlain is represented as
being convinced that continuance Of the
coalition is not only desirable but in
evitable, as no party IL likely to emerge
from an election with an independent
majority.
Moreover. It IS stated he would in
any case refuse to lead the party against
his colleagues in the Cabinet with whom
he has no political disagreement and for
whom he cherishes close personal
friendship. This being so, Conservatives
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. it says, is putting loyalty
to the Premier before loyalty to his
party. and he cannot continue his
adherence to Lloyd George without re-
signing the leadership
The newspaper admits the resignation
Of Mr. Chamberlain would seriously in
jure the Conservatives, but says the
party finds it more and more difficult
to contide in his political integrity.
Transfcrcnce of the leadership to
Lord Derby or Andrew Bonar Law is
much discussed. Lord Derby is snid to
he determined TO discontinue his sup.
port Of the coalition, but declines ciiher
10 confirm or deny the report. Mr..
Bonar Law is also credited with in
tcntion TO oppose another coalition gov
crnment.
The key to the whole situation. ac.
rording to many observers. is Mr..
Cham berlain's attitude. which was dis :
closed by his speech at Birmingham
today.
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 tho question of calling II general
election. 1t was stated in Downing
Street, however, that Mr.. Lloyd George
was merely reporting on the Nar Enst =
crn situation and would not touch upon
domestic politics
Strlcken m Str.at nI.