Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-05-21
Bonar Laws Resignation.

Andrew BOnar Law S resignation as
premier of Great Britain does not
come as surprise, for it has been
forecast by repeated reports of failing
health. But it is, nevertheless, a shock.
because the hope was still held that
he would be able to continue at least
in the title if not in the active duties
of his office. The basis of this hope APP
pears now in the anxious speculation
as 10 his successor that follows i'm.
mediately upon the announcement of
his resignation. For it is apparent
that there is ready for this duty now
no man who can so surely carry on in
England with the confidence of the
whole country and of all factions as
Mr.. Bonar Law. Few men have grown
to such a stature as he in 50 short
time. Known before the breakup Of
the Lloyd George ministry as a man
of substantial dependable qualities. in
the few months of his Office at the
head OF the government he has won
the esteem Of all parties by his stead
fastness. his abstension from politi.
cal SeSticulation and his earnest.
saGacious management of the govern
ment's affairs. He has been partisan
without prejudice and a statesman
with a vision of the greater good and
ultimate benefit of the British people.
Two names are Immediately can
vassed in the news dispatches for the
successor, Lord Curzon, foreign secre-
tary. who has for some time been act
ing virtually at the head of the gov.
eminent during the illness Of the pre-.
mier. and Mr.. Stanley Baldwin, chan.
cellor Of the exchequer. The former
has been much longer in public life, lie
better known and has more prestige.
But he sits In the house of lords az an
ultraconservative, and suffers there.
fore under the handicap of compare.
tive aloofness from the elements that
make for party success in Great Brit
ain. Mr.. Baldwin, a commoner, is
closer in touch with the active politi-
cal factors, but is identified with the
''die-hards,' who are a minority fac.
ton of the conservatives. AS leader in
the house Of commons in the absence
OF the premier he has taken active
part in the recent discussions relating
to foreign policies, although those
policies have been in control of Lord
Curzon as foreign secretary.
The problem in England today, how
ever. is to find a man who can com.
mand a sufficient following in parlia-
ment. especially in commons. to insure
a support for the ministry for a period
long enough to permit the execution
of a policy. In the circumstances there
is much talk of a compromise on the
Earl of Derby, now secretary for war.
Certain personal differences hitherto
limiting his usefulness have been set.
tied, and 1t Is believed that if premier
he could command the services of re.
organized cabinet of some of Che
strongest conservatives who were
members OF the Lloyd George coali-
ton cabinet.
In these speculations that are com
ing from London regarding the pre-.
miership note is taken of the attitude
of the labor element in parliament,
which is in general opposed to the Sc
lection of a member of the house of
lords as premier. There is, however.
no commoner other than Baldwin who
is believed to have the political
strength and the capacity to carry on
at the head Of the government, but
his close association with the die.hard
faction may make his selection impos.
sible.