The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-10-18
POLITICAL POT
OF BRITAIN AT
BOILING POINT
Answer as to Turn of
Crisis Unknown
tBy Associated Pressl

LONDONp OCb- 4os-4AC oAASAoA
political fever has now reached its
height and there is every indication
that the maximum temperature will be
maintained for some days. Everybody
is guessing as to when the crisis will
pass and what turn it will take, but
the answer is as yet unrevealed and
the future remains obscure pending to-
morrow's Unionist meeting at the Carl
ton club which is expected to give the
key to the problem.
One anti-coalition newspaper, the
Daily Mail, today attributes to Prime
Minister Lloyd George, the definite
statement that he will resign office If
the Unionist meeting declares against
) Austen Chamberlain, whose outspoken
adhesion to the premier has aroused
strong opposition in the party ranks.
Statement Unconfirmed.
Mr.. Lloyd Georges statement is said
to have been made at a private meet
ing last night of the Liberal ministers
and under secretaries. None of the
papers nearest the premier, nor any
other, confirms this or processes to
ing, although all agree that Lloyd
George received general cordial sup
port.
Whether or not the premier made
the declaration attributed to him, some
of the best informed political CORE
spondents believe he will resign If Mr..
Chamberlain is voted down at the Carl
ton club. 1t would then be up to the
king, in accordance with political pre-
cedents in this country to invite the
Conservative party to try its hand at
forming a cabinet.
May Make Appeal.
If, on the contrary the meeting gives
Mr.. Chamberlain anything approaching
strong support, the premier, it is re-
iterated will advise the king to dis
solve parliament, and this being done.
will appeal to the country on a coali-
tion ticket.
Thus, if these prophets be correct
the dissolution of parliament seems
imminent in either case as it is not
supposed the conservatives could carry
on without the prominent and tried
leaders who would quit the govern
ment with Chamberlain If he resigns.
Among the other reports published
by the morning papers is one to the
eject that the ministers started new
eforts yesterday to ensnare postpone
ment of the General election until
January. prompted it is said, by fear
of a complete split in the Conserva-
tive party Such a contingency how
ever, seems almost inevitable to the
distinterested observer, and one of
the surest prospects of the present
ferment seems to be a new alignment
of parties. which will obliterate some
of Britain's Oldest political landmarks.
Strange Feature
To a foreigner suddenly taking his
initial survey of the situation perhaps
one of the strangest features of the
British crisis would be the compare
tive absence from the columns, of the
principle daily papers of reports on
the activities of the labor party, not
withstanding the announced intention
of that party to put more than 400
candidates into the electoral field.
Labor is certainly mentioned, but
the space given the labor movement
is trifling compared to that devoted
to the doings of the two other parties
There is no reason to suppose, how
ever. that this reflects the amount of
Importance attaching to the industrial
attack on the various constituencies.
thus far have been less vocal than
their rivals but they are known to
be conducting an energetic campaign
Principles Known
Some of the political principles for
which labor is fighting are already
we'll known They are put succinctly
by the moderate labor leader, Arthur
Henderson, in a speech yesterday al
Newport, Monainuthashire where there
is bye-election today in which labo-
will have the opportunity of showing
its strength. The seat in this consti
tuency hitherto has been held by a
coalition liberal, but the coalition is
not contesting today and the fight will
be between the Laborites and Conser
vative Liberal candidates.
In his address. Mr.. Henderson sail
labor seeks national financial reform
on the principle of ability to pay, and
would tighten the national debt by q
war debt redemption fund through 2
levy on accumulated wealth. beginnins
with all fortunes exceeding 5000.
Labors Stand
Labor also declares war against pri
vate Industrial enterprises and advo
Gates greater extension of collective
responsibility This especially applies
to such national services as the mines
and railroads.
The workers must have a measure o.
control over industry and there mus
be an elevation in their status, full EN-
ployment or maintenance, and the
humanizing of all working conditions
Democratization of political institu
tions placing of the foreign policy o
the nation under the control of popu
larly elected assemblies and interna
tional arbitration were among th'
other aims set forth by the Labor
spokesman.