Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-20
Bonar Law Accepts Re-
sponsibility, Despite Sc
rious State of Health.
MANY CONSERVATIVES
LOYAL TO EX-PREMIER
Balfour. Chamberlain, Horne
and Others Follow Welsh
man Into Wilderness.
LHN Associated rrcss- |

[ ~ Associated prcssl
LONDON. Oct. l2.-After holding
the otiic. Of Prime Minister through
seven OF the most critical years OF
British hisiory-three years of war
and -FOUR years OF reconstruction
pavid Lloyd George went into the
Wilderness today.
This was the description in his
Manchester speech Of his position if
the Caionist wing OF his followers
should desert him. Uniouist with
drawal from the coalition was de-
cided upon today by the meeting
which Austen Chamberlain had called
at the Carlton Club and which was
attended by the coalition members OF
the House Of Commons and handful
OF Lords who were enrolled in the
Cabinet.
Chamberlain Policy beaten.
The vote was lS6 to 81 against tho
Chamhcrlain policy of picdging the
party Ia sustain ths coalition and I'm
favor Of a general election to con-
urn 'ta course The meeting was
followed by succession Of swift
events. which carried the coalition
government into outer darkness
Andrew Bonar Law will pat on the
Prime Minister'S mantle for short
term of Office. The King summoned
hlm TO buckingham Palace late this
evening and invited him to form a
new government. which Bonar Law
Will undertake. although the state
or his health which compelled him
TO withdraw from public life a few
monts ago. makes il risky venture.
Before Bonar Law can formally ac-
cept the premiership. however. a
meeting OF the Unionist party must
be held TO elect new leader to car
ry out the policy to be decided bv
caucus This meeting will be held
within few days. when Bonar Law
VIII be chosen.
An Afternoon or Rumors.
Between the Carlton Club meeting
and Bonar Laws visit TO the King
II was scethinE afternoon of ru
moTs. and a group gathering among
the political factions. Austen Cham
h"rlain first visited the Prime Min
isier's official residence In Downing
street. as had been expected. to offcr
his resignation; several under-sac-
retaries and the chief coalition
tnionist whip. Lieutenant Leslie
Wilson. had already Informed the
newspapers that they had resigned
ana within two hours Lloyd George
was in possession OF the designations
OF practically all the members OF
the cabinet. He then drove TO tho
palace 10 tender them to the King.
Lloyd George advised the King to
summon Bonar Law and. according
to custom. this was done. While
Lloyd George exhibited cheerfulness
TO the few who saw him and cheered
MIN on his journey TO the palace. he
could not but feel deeply the verdict
. that he no longer commanded tha
support of the majority of the Union
list party. which for the past few
months had furnished the strongest
material for his Cabinet
ii"nur Lnw brings Action.
1t was Ronar Law. more than
any other man. who influenced the
Inionist caucus to sccede from the
coalition. He had been sphin1
whom the rank and file OF the I'm
i"nist commonerS were waiting to
near II" tx serious and unemo-
ti"na! man. with quiet manner. His
opinion that IL was more Important
to keep the party together than to
win the next election and whether
oH his own fault or the force OF
circumstances. Lloyd George had
lost the confidence Of the country"
decided many votes There was also
strong feeling in the party tina,
ne Chamberlain plan, which gave
the rartr's destinies over to tho
small faction representing II In Par-
lament was not fair device
The last straw which weighed in
the seal" was The Newport election,
in which straiGh, Unionist cam
aldatc won on platform or opposi-
ton TO the coalition and all its work.
although the politicians thought the
Labor party had a safe prospcc: in
that constituency
Curxon 10 he Cabinet PiIIar.
R"nar Law viii have Lord Cur
zon for one OF the pilinrs az his Cab
met. Curznn remained away from
the caucus today but sent q letter
OF protest against the exclusion OK
the lords
One result OF ;oday's upheavai Is
split in the UnIonist party, which
| makes it's fortunes doubtful.
strong group OF the old Cabinet Ur-
!ousts remain true t" their Leader
MIR Chamberlain, tho Earl OF BAL
four, Lord Hirkcnhcad. Sir I.aminy
Wcrthiugton Evans aud Sir Robert
stevenson Horne follow Lloyd
George into the wilderness, and
many workers in the party ranks
are likely TO go with them
The precincts of the solemn gray
Uld Carlton club, which has SheI-
tered much history making In its
time, afforded the London crowd.
which never fails freely 10 express
ITS sentiments towards notables. q
distinct scene "t excitement The
Earl OF BalfoUr. who had only TO
walk around the corner from his
house. was one OF the fortuna;es rhy
got nothing but cheers Str. Cham
-