The Washington herald., 1922-06-26
Commons Fight Today
Over Wilson Assassina-
ton Alarms Cabinet.
FEVERISH SESSION
DISCUSSES POLICIES
Main Attacks Expected to
Be Made on Shortt,
MOnd and Fisher.

LONDON, June 25.-The success
sion of government defeats in
Parliament, with the assassination
OF Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson
as a climax. has brought Lloyd
Georges coalition government TO
the most serious position il has
been in during its long existence.
Like some previous crucial posi-
tions which developed. this one may
not lead anywhere, but there is no
doubt that the government is much
concerned over the situation. The
fght over the assassination of Field
Marshal Wilson begins in commons
tomorrow when the die-hards-the
Independent anti-Irish Conserva-
tives of whom the late Sir Henry
was a leader-begin bombarding the
government with questions regard
ing the failure to guard the muir
dered field marshal against physical
harm So much concerned is the
government over the prospect, that
the cabinet was in session until
late last night, met again for an
all-day session today and meets
again tomorrow at Westminster
Palace before the house sits.
summons Friends.
The cabinet has sent out the most
urgent request that all coalition
members of the commons be on
hand at Mondays session, ready to
come to the aid of Lloyd George IL
there is a vote.
The real debate will begin after
question time when 1t is expected
that the government will move an
adjournment to give an opportun-
ity for a thorough discussion of the
Wilson affaif. Winston Churchill.
colonial minister. is expected to
open the defense on behalf OF the
ministry with Home Secretary Shortt
and Sir Austen Chamberlain. gov
ernment leader in the house. fol-
lowing
Premier Lloyd George plans TO be
present in commons throughout the
session although he does not ex-
pect to speak until the end of the
debate Is reached.
A defeat for the government
would certainly lead to the resig-
nation of the ministry. but this Is
regarded as unlikely. some even pre-
dieting that no vote will be taken.
shortt Is scapeEoat.
While the die-hards are attacking
the governments entire Irish policy.
the real scapegoat is Sir Edward
Shortt. the home secretary, who is
unpopular in many quarters and who
has not yet recovered from the
damage of the True case in which
he was accused Of assisting a highly
placed titled woman in blocking the
nf
tain Ronald True.
Now Sir Edward. as heSd Of the
police. Is charged with neglecting
to guard Field Marshal Wilson and
with attending a gay social func-
councillors uniform. at the home of
Sir Alfred Mond. minister of labor.
on the evening the field marshal
was assassinated.
The weakness of the die-hards is
that they oppose any negotiation
with Ireland and want to reconquer
the country by military force.
claiming that this is the only way
the island can be tranquillized II
they had centered their attack
merely on Sir Edward Shortt for
. his failure to protect the field mar
shall, they would have had a better
chance. but even so the government
could reply that II was compelled to
remove the guards from public men
because Of the cIamor for economy
set up by the die-hards.
Could Charge Inconsistency.
The government could also charge
the die-hards with inconsistency In
their economy program for defeat
ing the government on the teach
ers' pension bill recently by forcing
an increase in the appropriation.
The real reason for the govern
ment's recent defeats is that the
politicians are trying to get"
Lloyd Gearge. whom the die-hards
have never quite forgiven for being
a seIf-made man.
A frontal attack on Lloyd George
has little chance of success, henc,
the attack is being directed at his
weakest ministers. such as Shortt.
Minister of Education Fisher and
Labor Minister Mond.
No doubt Lloyd George realizes
that indefinite perpetuity for the
coalition government IL impossible.
and a general election is being
planned for the not distant future
now. as for the last two years. II is
expected "fn the next few months
when a good campaign issue is
available. The difficulty is in fnd-
ing a mutually agreeable election
slogan, as the die-hards are not
likely to succeed on a platform of
reconduering Ireland. while the
Laborites have lost almost all of
their pre-war prestige. and the in
dependent Liberals can only prom