The Washington times., 1923-04-11
LAW.
To ASK
VOTE
Premier Begins Fight Anew
After Adverse Ballot in
House of Commons.
By LUTHER A. HUSTON,
international News Service.


LONDON, April 1.-THE Tory
government of Premier A. Bonar
Law today began a fight for its
life.
After a consultation of cabinet
members, the premier announced
that the same motion upon which
the government was defeated in
commons last night by seven
votes would be submitted again
tomorrow in the form of mo-.
ton Of confidence In the govern
ment. If the motion fails it is
expected the cabinet will resign.
Cabinet Likely to Win.
This will be the first actual vote
Of confidence or no confidence in
the cabinet since Parliament con-
vened before the Easter recess. In
view Of the activity of government
whips, it is almost certain that the
government will be sustained.
Cabinet members are attempting
to ignore the defeat of last night,
but all sections of the press admit
that the position of the Tory gov
eminent has been weakened
The vote was in connection with
civil service appropriations. The OPP.
position Unexpectedly challenged
the motion that the speaker leave
the chair preliminary to the House
going into q committee Of the whole
to consider appropriations. The vote
followed.
Government Is Weakened.
Both friendly and hostile newspa-
pers admitted that the government
has been shaken and must keep close
watch to avert defeat upon some inn
portant issue which would make
resignation inevitable. Premier A.
Bonar Law is not in fighting trim.
He is suffering from i'll health.
which makes it difficult for him to
carry the burden.
1T is undoubtedly a hard blow to
the Cabinets prestige" said the
Daily Mail.
Downfall of the Cabinet may be
evaded through some expedient,"
said the Chronicle, the personal
organ Of Former Premier David
Lloyd George.
There are breakers ahead" said
the labor organ. The Daily Herald,
This newspaper pointed out that
the Prem!er's health Is poor and
claimed that fine team work by the
laborites may bring about resigaa-
ton Of the ministry.
The cabinet was cornered by
labor and sustained humiliating
blow" said the Daily News.
The Telegraph called the incident
a severe lesson" and declared 1t
ought to be warning against
laxity in the future.
The Times criticized the slackness
of the Tories while the Tory news
paper Morning Post admitted that
the affair was bound to shake the
morale Of the government.
There was much noise and con
fusion when Commons convened
this afternoon. Amidst jeers the
Laborite leaders of the opposition
demanded to know if the govern
ment defeat last night would delay
pending legislation. AS Premier
Bonar Law shook his head without
verbal reply the Conservatives
broke into cheers.
The three-toned overthrow of the
Ronar Law government in Great
Britain has caused some agitation
among members OF the American
Debt Funding Commission with re-
gard to the status of the contract
for the payment of the $4,000 900
600 British debt to the United
States, it was learned today.
Following a conference with Pres
ident Harding at the White House.
Senator Reed Smoot of Utah. a
member Of the commission. an
nounced that the commission would
meet next Monday to consider the
situation
Administration officials believe the
agreement reached here by the
British debt commission, and later
ratified by the British cabinet and
the American Congress, will be &C
cepted by whatever government sue
ceeds the Law ministry, but they
are worried nevertheless by the pos
sibilities of the political shake'up
in London.