Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-24
STANLEY BALDWIN
ACCEPTS POST AS
BRITAIN SPREM|ER
Formerly Chancellor Of the
ExcheQuer and Helped Me-
gotiate Terms for Pay
ment of War Debt

ISOLATED Press.)-Stanley Baldwin is
Great Britain's new prime minister
He accepted the premiership Offered
him this afternoon by King George
Mr.. Baldwin's period of political
experience is one of the shortes.
among British statesmen who have
attained this goal of their ambitions
as It is only within the last few
years that he has been prominent
in politics and only in the last few
months become at all a commanding
figure.
The solution of the premiership
problem thus suddenly thrust upon
the country is regarded as unques
tionably a keen disappointment to
Lord Curzon, who two days ago was
regarded as almost certain to sue
coed Mr.. Bonar Law in the Office va
Gated by that statesman Sunday be-
cause of i'll health. The foreign sec
rotary, however, is pointed to as a
HlCI1IIl VI anu AiOl cAo
being passed over because of any
lack of ability and certainly not
from any lack Of experience.
Political Mix-Up
The sudden rise of the labor party
to the position of the official oppo-
sition in the house Of commons has
l. fcfat ir, fhn
Of lords almost an impossibilfty.
Labor is without a single representa-
tive in the upper chamber and with
the premier in the house Of the
lords, the opposition party would be
unable to meet him in debate or con-
front him with questions, which is
one of the strongest prerogatives of
the opposition. This would have Gre
: ated a situation unknown to parlia-
'mentary history in modern times.
The conservative leaders, or at
least the small number of them who
are in town, were engaged In con-
ference last night and this morn
ing, but kept under cover so care
fully that the newspapers were I'M
able to discover their whereabouts
After agreeing among themselves
that Mr.. Baldwin should be selected
for the premiership, the leaders. 1t
seems, made known their wishes re-
garding the succession to King
George, doubtless because the king
asked their advice as he was unable
% consult the outgoing prime min.
lister. The king was in no wise
bound to ask that advice, and it is
considered wholly unlikely that they
thrust it upon him unrequested.
Labor Views Heard
At labor. party headquarters this
morning a statement was issued say
ing all shades of thought in the Ia
Dor movement were agreed there
would not be the slightest justifica-
ton for appointing a member of the
house of lords as premier. Labor,
it was pointed out, practically was
unrepresented in the lords and if a
member of that house so alien to
the aspirations of democracy were
chosen, said the statement in an OBJ
vious thrust at Lord Curzon, such
action would be profoundly resented
by the labor party.
The labor spokesman added thai
in the event a peer were chosen the
Ia
device to precipitate a dissolution of
parliament.
The feeling among the laborites
that the premier should belong to
the house where he is able, to face
the opposition is reflected in the
other parties.
All the ministers in the cabinet
are expected, according to custom,
to tender their designations to the
king. A period of "a hours must
elapse before the appointment of a
new cabinet, but in this case nearly
all viii be reappointed, with the not
able addition of Sir Robert Horne,
who, as chancellor of the eXchequer,
will resume the office he held under
the Lloyd George coalition.
The question is being asked wheth-
er Lord Curzon will consent to serve
in the cabinet under Mr.. Baldwin s
leadership. 1t is predicted he will,
despite the blow to his ambitions.
The foreign secretary arrived in Lon
don from his country place at 2
o'clock this afternoon, and a repre-
sentative group of party leaders Wis
tied him to acquaint him with the
party decision.
Baldwin Breaks News
,.a%,,r,oad 70 ho
official residence of the premier in
Downing street, after being closeted
with the king for an hour, he told
the reporters that any official state
men< concerning the premiership
must come from Buckingham palace.
Nevertheless he gave them the news
by saying:
"I need your prayers rather than
your congratulations.
The public was not prepared fol-
such sudden climax to the Situa-
ton, and there were no crowds in
Downing street or outside the palace
as on the eventful day only seven
months ago when Mr.. Bonar Law
was summoned to the presence OF
the king.
An incident typical Of the chang.
ing times and growing disregard fol-
the old, formalities was seen when
Mr.. Baldwin went to the palace to
receive the announcement of his
majesty's pleasure in an ordinary
taxicab. He did not, however forget
the frock coat and silk hat of ira.
dition.
1t is generally understood the
king, through his secretary, Lord
Stamfordham, consulted Lord Cur
zon before appointing Mr.. Baldwin
The nature of their consultation is
not publicly known, but it is believed
that Lord Curzon was asked if he
was willing to abandon his own
claims to the post and serve under
Baldwin,, He is understood to have
agreed to continue as foreign sec
rotary.