Evening star., 1936-05-23
BRITISH MINISTRY
BY
MAJOR "SHAKE-UP'
Baldwin Studies Changes
Expected as Result of
Thomas Resigning.
SIR SAMUEL H0ARE
LIKELY TO RETURN
Former Foreign Secretary Would
Be Secretary for Dominions.
Budget Probe Continued.
3y the Associated Press.

| 3y the Associated Press.
LONDON, May 23.-The resignation
of Colonial Secretary j. H. Thomas in
Britain's budget leakage scandal-the
third desertion from Prime Minister
| Stanley Baldwin's original cabinet
raised probability today of major
shake-up in the ministry.
The prime minister went to his
country residence, Chequers. for the
week end. there to deliberate long
expected changes.
Political sources predicted a cabinet
turnover which would carry back into
Office Sir Samuel Hoare. former for
eign secretary, who was the first of
this ministry to withdraw under fire
In addition to filling Thomas place
at the colonial Office, Baldwin faced
a possibility Of having to find a sue
cessor for Viscount Monsell. first lord
of the admiralty, who was reported
anxious to retire at Whitsuntide, which
falls next week
Sir Samuel Hoare. original scape-
goat of the Italo- Ethiopian crisis now
being hailed as "far-seeing prophet"
for his peace plan to give Italy only
part of Ethiopia, might return to the
cabinet as secretary for the domhions,
informed sources said.
Malcom MacDonald's Post.
Malcolm Macdonald. under this re-
arrangement, would switch back to
his old post at the colonial Office.
Other political sources said Sir
Samuel might go to the admiralty.
with William Ormsby-Gore. first
commissioner of works, becoming his
majesty's secretary for the colonies.
Baldwin. with the National
Union" character of his cabinet
broken further by the downfall of
the former Laborite. Thomas. was ex-
pected to seek to strengthen the
largely conservative ministry at any
rate to hold it together until King
Edwards coronation next year, when
many believe the prime minister him
self will retire.
Thomas first duty. now that his
resignation has been announced. will
be to visit Buckingham Palace early
next week and hand his seals of Office
to the son of his late friend and
sovereign King George. King Ed
wards acceptance of the resignation.
together with that of Baldwin, was
announced last night.
Thomas. one-time engine wiper, who
won friends in high places and posts
in five cabinets. must then consult
the Derby constituents he has repre-
sented 81 years. to determine whether
he should continue as their member
of Parliament.
He may make an explanatory state
ment from the back bench of the
House Commons-as did Sir Samuel
Hoare, when he was forced out of the
foreign office-after the tribunal in
vestigating an alleged escape of Of
fetal secrets makes its report.
Piles of letters and cables lay on
the doorstep of Thomas London
apartment under the eye Of a solitary
policeman.
May Take Sea voyage.
The former colonial secretary was
understood to be staying at Sussex
and may take sea voyage later in
an attempt to regain his once hearty
health, which has suffered in the
political turmoil of the last month.
The three-man budget tribunal con-
tinued its private study of evidence
in the investigation as to whether
shrewd calculations or tips from the
cabinet room precipitated rush FOR
insurance against increased income
and tea taxes before the budget was
announced, April 81, to the House Of
Commons.
The commission concluded its hear
ings Wednesday-the day Thomas
resignation was presented-and was
expected to publish its report to Par
lament next week.
Testimony was introduced that two
intimate friends of Thomas, one of
whom bought the cabinet member a
house, made $96.500 by insuring in
advance against the tax increases.
Thomas himself appeared before
the tribunal twice to declare stead
fastly he never disclosed any official
secrets to any one at any time.
In his letter of resignation to Prime
Minister Baldwin. Thomas said, II
have come to my decision because
the way my name and private affairs
have been banded about renders my
(See SHAKE-UP- Page O.