The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-08


 life is in chaos, Premier Baldwin is expected to resign, and the country faces coalition government, be- cause of the definite defeat dealt Baldwin and the conservative party in Thursdays general election.
 At II o'clock Friday night, with returns received from all but 12 dis tricts. the various parties had re- turned candidates to Parliament as follows:
 Conservatives ....,.........S .S259
 La Dor ................. 1S3
 Liberals .......,... 14S
 others ..'..........'' lo
 Total ............. So2
 Thus, opposition commands a total of 343 votes in the House of Com mons, as opposed to the conserva tives 259. Being unable to pass any of his policies, Premier Baldwin is expected to hand his resignation to the King. There are total of 615 seats in the House. Of the thirteen which remain to be decided, results in twelce districts will be announced over the week and one seat will he vacant, owing to the death of the successful liberal candidate.
 O o o
 Vote Down Tariff.
 While Americans are wrestling with the problem Of taxes, and wei coming the promise of reduction con- tained in President Coolidge's mes sage British voters dealt With the taxation issue by voting down a protective tariff. Conservative de- feats in districts where they expected to win easily are attributed largely to the fear that protection would mean high taxes on food. Further- more the laborites made spectacular sgains and theirs was a campaign n with a capital tax levy as the main issue.
 The first result of the election would seem to be that tariffs are dead in Great Britain for years to come Conservatives can extract llt- tie consolation from their rivals failure to obtain a majority, as both liberals and laborites opposed tariffs in any form and Baldwin had asked a mandate on the single issue-tarlff or no tariff.
 With none of the parties holding a majority the prospect of a shake np in government finds David Lloyd George in a stronger position, pos sibly enbling him to return to power much sooner than he could have eN- 2ccted on the eve of the election.
 Baldwin And Asauith Comments.
 Premier Baldwin's only comment so far on his reversal was, Tt looks difficult. but am not afraid of diff fieulties.'
 Herbert Asquith, nominal leader ot| tho liberals, declared:
 "The election was one of the most s1i#sereditab1e adventures in history What was the result? We have Killed pr1tection and free trade is sate.
 Meantime party chiefs are arriv- 5ng in London on every train to de- tn-m:ue what has happened and plan ,ae ;lee sest government. The heavy .=t=z5ze-, !. i've losses. which neither of = 6. ea ing parties had anticipated, let~e 'ee. everyone uncertain as. to .fs. a5<.-t move.
 ffr+-. Baldwin must decide whether ae vii resign inn ediately or wait i,fstil the situation clears. If he offers Fis res 'anation to the King. the lat fer e'thee would ask him to suggest n stccassor or request him to con ..',ua 'a office until political condi- .iens= ha.e become more stabilized.
 If Baldwin remains at Downing .-...-t for q few days, he fs expected i1 begin 70 feel out the liberals on sha poss biiity of conservative lhera' coalition cabinet Everyone $ waiting to see what Lloyd George ,-ill do for he was the outstanding figure of the campaign. and may now become the deciding factor.
 Combination Not Likely.
 X governing combination between he ljberas and labor does not seem g'keiv While some iaborites expect Do r n.s to send for Ramsay Mac i'ora,d. leader of the labor party, all f them are looking to future elec 'toae. then they hope to obtain l-e iosify that would permit them to iue o1 their own authority.
 Whateve. the immediate solution = tho situation. party leaders agreed
 to Friday night that new cleo on would be necessary in a few fsonths. Some predicted another erection was only a question of weeks.