Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-23
First Time in History
Labor Party NJ in
Opposition to Gov
eminent in Parlia-
ment Will H ave
Support Commercial
and Financial World
Many of Old Will
Be Chosen for New
Cabinet to Be Form
ed at Once

London, May 22-(By A. Ply
Stanley Baldwin. chancellor of the
exchequer, is the British prime min
lister in succession to Andrew Bonar
Law. Having followed the constitu-
tional practice and ascertained the
views of the conservative leaders
through the medium OF his sccre-
tary, Lord StamfOrdham, who had
been busy since Sunday in necessary
consultations with the king. came
to town today and without further
delay offered the vacant PREMIER
ship to Mr.. Baldwin, who accepted.
That a man comparatively new
to politics thus comes to the first
position in the nations councils,
passing over well-tricd and expert
enced statesmen like Marquis Cur
ION and the Earl of Balfour, indi-
Gates the change which has taken
place on the political stage with the
rise for the first time in the coun-
try's history of the labor party 10
the position Of His Majcsty's opposi-
ton in parliament.
The new prime minister. like his
predecessor, has graduated from
trade. and also like Mr.. Bonar Law,
these men was trained for politics,
but adopted politics after a SUCCESS
ful commercial career. This also liz
departure to some extent from
British traditions, the statesmen in
the past being to a very large ex-
tent recruited from the ranks of the
aristocracy of the legal profession.
This fact insured for the new
premier the support and confidence
or the commercial and financial
world. which will be a great asset
for him. In accordance with Gus
tom. the members of the cabinet
now will formally tender their res
igantions. and Mr.. Baldwin will pro-
coed to appoint Il new ministry. The
general belief is that for the most
part the present ministers will be
re-appointed but this is by no means
certain.
Among the surprises OF the day
was the announcement that Sir Rob-
ert Stevenson Horne had consented
to become chancellor OF the exchea-
uer In the new cabinet. a post he
held under Lloyd George. AS late as
yesterday it was asserted that Sir
ROBERT had no intention Of re-enter-
ing politics. When he left the coaIi-
Chamberlain. Lord Birkenhead and
others. he formed lucrative connec-
lions in the commercial world. and
only a week ago was appointed a
director of the SueZ Canal Company.
Becoming minister again he must
resign thre positions of profit.
his appointment TO the new Office
cannot be officially announced until the
1ormalities Of the resignation of tho
ministry are completed, but the APP
pointment is regarded as certain. and
the question arises whether Sir Robert
Horne's inclusion in the cabinet means
that Mr.. Baldwin hopes TO bring In the
other late colleagues Of the new cham
cellor. Ike Mr.. Chamberlain and Birk-
enhead 10 strengthen the ministry.
Stanley Baldwin is actually the nom.
inee OF the die-hard section of the
Conservative party. which hitherto has
been most determined against the re-
admission Of Birkcnhead and Cham
beriain TO the ministry: hence IL may
be inferred that such reconciliation
In the Conservative ranks is not likely.
but the situation is undoubtedly in
teresting and the next development is
awaited with much interest.
The most engrosslng questions be-
fore the British public tonight there
fore are. what will be the personnel OF
the new ministry and as relates TO
Russia
Sr. Lloyd George in speech at
Llanfairfechsn tonight. with his usual
political instinct. put his finger on
what is generally considered AZ the
weak side Of the Bonar law admins
tration. He said: II had more con-
fdence in the late premicrs restrain
ing sagacity than in his driving ca
pacity."
Mr. Baldwin IS close friend Of Mr..
Bonar Law, and IL Lord curzon. as Is
expected, remains secretary for foreign
affairs. IL is unlikely that there will
be any radical change in policy. but
there is undoubtedly a general hope
that without the handicap Of III health,
from which Mr. Bonar Law suffered.
the new prime minister may iEfuse
more yigor into the government poll
cy. particularly with regard TO the
Ruhr
Among the host Of rncssag es receiv-
ed BY Dir. BoDar Law from we'll
wisheyE. including the colonial pre-
niiers and the president OF the Irish
| Free State. was one from Woodrow
Wilson, saying:
Having myself been hampered by
III health. / kno WHOM 10 sympafhize
With you. and 90 with all my heart. I
trust that your health may steadily
return"