Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-05-21
Conservatives Divide Between
Chancellor and Curzon, But
Labor Opposes Earl.
BALFOUR AND DERBY
ARE ALSO MENTIONED
King Delays Naming of Successor
of Prime Minister. Forced
Out by Health.

who is in Aldershot, had up to this
afternoon asked no one to accept the
premiership in succession to Andrew
Bonar Law, who resigned yesterday, so
far as known to the public. The king,
It is said, has no present intention of
curtailing his visit to Aldershot, which
is expected to last most of the week
Meanwhile the two most promising
prospects for head of the government.
Earl Curzon and Stanley Baldwin.
chancellor of the exchequer, are in the
country 70 rthe Whitsun holidays, and
plan to remain away until Wednesday.
1t was reported today that there was
no Improvement in Bonar Laws health
He was attended today by his physi-
clans.
Operate on Law.
The physicians of the retired Brit
iSh prime minister this afternoon
issued the following statement:
Mr.. Bonar Law had u slight oper-
alton on the throat today. Otherwise
his condition is unchanged"
"A serious difference OF opinion
exists in the conservative party with
regard to a successor to Mr.. Bonar
Law" says the Central News this
afternoon There has been a rapid
testing of opinion during the day on
this point by the officials of the con-
sentative organization and very great
differences of view have been re-
vealed amongst the rank and file. The
supporters of Stanley Baldwin and
Lord Curzon are numerically fairly
equally divided. and as there appears
to be small hope of a compromise
there is growing volume of opinion
in favor of asking Lord Balfour
again to lead the party unless an
agreement can be reached imme-
diately.
"A party meeting at the Carlton
Club will be summoned within DAY
Lord Derby is also spoken of as a
possibility to succeed Mr.. Law. -
The Daily Herald, labor's news
paper, says Curzon's appointment
would be a disaster for Great Britain
and for Europe.
Some Favor CurzOn.
Lord Curzon's supposed aloofness
and reputed attitude Of unbending
superiority are alluded to by many
writers who, however, do not think
he should necessarily be barred from
the post Two or three newspapers,
indeed, assert that the popular i'm
preston of Curzon Is far from being
correct and that he is actually
modest man of very human person
atty who would like to unbend but
who does not possess the faculty for
doing so.
With Lord Curzon as premier. Mr..
Baldwin, it is assumed, would be-
come leader in the house of commons.
His present reputation rests largely
upon such recent events as MS deot
mission to the United States, his sue
cessful budget and his generalship
in the house of commons since MIR.
Bonar Laws absence.
Conservative Wants Baldwin.
The aristocratic and ultra-conserva-
tive Morning Post. ignoring Curzon's
lofty lineage and connections, calls
emphatically for Mr.. Baldwin's ap-
pointment.
The parliamentary correspondent
thoritatively that Mr.. Bonar Law
throat complaint is not malignant
and that there is every reason to
hope that his health will in time be
restored. 1t is also understood that
lie will retain his seat in the house
OF commons.
The Morning Post says it is i'm
portant dt inc present crisis ihat the
new premier be commoner. None
of the peers mentioned as a possible
prime minister meets the ne eds Of
the situation, the Post asserts.
BeaverbrOok for Baldwin.
The Daily Express. owned by Lord
Beaverbrook, an intimate associate of
the retiring prime minister, empha-
sizes the Importance of Mr.. Bald
win to the ministry.
His assistance" says the Express,
is absolutely essential to the forma-
ton of a government. Failing Mr..
Baldwin, Lord Curzon could not pos
sibly form a ministry"
Lord Beaverbrook known intimacy
with the conservative leaders sug-
gests that this statement crystallizes
party opinion.
One of the advantages the new
prime minister will have over his
predecessors Is that any appoint
ments he makes in the ministry will
not involve. as heretofore, any bye
elections. This is because of the pro-
visions of recent act which made
the reelection of appointees unnec
essary within nine months of the last
dissolution of parliament.
Law Resigned Last Night.
Mr.. Law sent his resignation to the
king last night. He was unable to
present it personally. Thus ended his
brief but eventful administration.
The crisis comes upon the govern
ment in the midst of holiday, when
parliament is dispersed and few mem
bers of the government are in Lon
don.
Three days ago, when the result of
Mr.. Bonar Laws consultation with
physicians in Paris became known,
this end was. foreseen, but the coun-
try was not prepared for 1t and will
await developments with anxiety and
regrets over the untimely dropping
of a trusted pilot.
Leaves without Enemies.
One consolation 1t is generally con-
coded Mr.. Bonar Law will have is
that he has no enemies and that no
one will withhold from him sympathy.
He accepted his high Office with re-
luctance; he leaves 1t amidst I'M
feigned regrets on the part of both
supporters and opponents.
Mr.. Bonar Laws resignation was
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