Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-16
LAWS FRIENDS SEE
PLOT TO GUST HIM
London Press HotIy Debates
Necessity of Prime Min
listers Resigning.
BY the Associated Press

ny the Associated Press.
LONDON, April 1.-THE stanch
supporters of Prime Minister Bonar
Law among the morning newspapers
are indignant at what they call the
conspiracy to weaken the ministry
launched in the Sunday press, which
reported that he was about to re-
sign because of ill health.
The Morning Post. the leading con-
sentative paper. asserts with the
greatest emphasis that there is moth
ing in the condition of Bonar Laws
health to compel his retirement.
The Post and the other papers
which share its views attribute the
conspiracy" to Lord Birkenhead and
other conservatives who refused to
participate in the government They
also implicate David Lloyd George
and his supporters. whom they say,
desire the restoration of the coali-
ton.
Elsewhere there is equally firm sup
port for Sundays rumors. One writ
er, referring to last evenings official
denial of the eports. says:
1t may be true that Bonar Law has
De equally true that he has no inten-
ton of not resigning."
Most noteworthy among the news
papers confirming Sundays reports
is the Daily Telegraph. which usually
expresses moderate conservative views
although it was a strong supporter of
Lloyd George. This newspapers par
llamentary expert says there are solid
grounds for the rumor and asserts
That If Bonar Law had thought free
n n Il I,
now. The premier. the writer adds.
mas now come to the conclusion, with
profound regret, that he cannot hone
to prolong indefinitely his incumbency
in his present post.
Stay in Sense Of Duty.
The Telegraph, however, in COM
pany with some other newspapers.
says that the prime minister's high
sense of duty will induce him TO con-
tinue in Office until plans for the flu
ture can be made.
The prime minister has no inten-
tons whatever of resigning,' said a
statement issued last night from No.
10 Downing street, the official resi-
dence of Andrew Bonar Law.
This constituted the governments
reply TO statements in several Of the
Suiuos iiioi HiHS newspapers. This
official denial. however, it is generally
agreed in political circles, does not
affect the situation as indicated in
these dispatches last week that Bonar
Laws retention of Office depends on
his health.
Undoubtedly the prime minister has
no intention of relinQuishing hold if
his health will stand up under the
continuous heavy strain of office.
When he assumed the prmeiership,
Bonar Law frankly said his retention
of the post would depend entirely on
his health and official denial such as
that issued today, it is believed. will
not influence public opinion, which has
been almost universal since last
weeks happenings in parliament. that
if the government is to survive it
must be greatly strengthened, and
that unless the premier's physical
condition rapidly improves he cannot
WELD the necessary driving power to
face of the capable and alert opposi-
tion.
Three Months Grace.
The premier still has three months
before him in which he may recon-
struct his ministry without the neces-
sity of new ministers having to run
the gauntlet by elections, and this is
an important factor, considering the
general dissatisfaction caused by the
governments complete inertia in
connection with the Ruhr trouble
and home problems. like unempIoy-
ment, housing and the labor disputes