POLITICAL CRISIS

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17394, 3 March 1922, Page 7

POLITICAL CRISIS

UNIONISTS AND THE COALITION. SIR LLOYD GEORGE THREATENS TO RESIGN. (By Cable—Press Aseoci&tioa—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association^) LONDON, March 1. The political situation continues most uncomfortable. There are frequent rumours regarding various members of the Cabinet, to the effect that this or that one is about to resign.

Perhaps it is not remarkable in these circumstances that Mr Lloyd George's name is mentioned more frequently than anv other.

Lord Birkenhead's speech strengthened the rumours. -. Meanwhile blows sustained by the Coalition by-elections have added strength to the Conservative cabal against a nominally Liberal Prime Minister. The Australian Press Association understands that Mr Lloyd George has now written strongly to Mr Austen Chamberlain intimating that he will not submit much longer ta the humiliating conditions produced by the attempts of influential Conservatives, to break up the Coalition, to enable them to appeal to the country on u.o basis of the old Conservatism, which Mr Lloyd George regards as disastrous. (Received March 3rd, 8.46 p.m.) LONDON, March 1.

The well-infromed lobbyist of the Coalition's chief organ the "Daily Chronicle" admits that a grave political crisis has developed swiftly during the last throe days. He says it was inadvisable to say anything that might mar the Royal wedding, but it now i-hould be made clear that the Coalition's fortunes aro at stake. Mr Lloyd George's position has been seriously hampered by the disaffection of sections of the ■Unionists, and his resignation hangs in the balance.

The Prime Minister's letter to Mr Austen Chamberlain contained a threat of resignation. Mr Chamberlain immediately commttnicated this to the Unionists' leaders, who were greatly perturbed. Accompanied by Mr Balfour, they sew Mr Lloyd George, and offered him the same measure of support as in the past. Mr Balfour stressed the national and international consequences of Mr Lloyd George's resignation, and strongly urged him to continue as the head of the Coalition which was not divided on any question of policy. Mr Lloyd George replied that a continuation was impossible if the Conservative .leaders allowed the party "bosses" to issue orders.

(Received March 3rd, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 1

In connexion with the threatened political cirsi8 3 present indications suggest thai the Unionist Party as a whole must either disclaim Sir George Younger's aggressive attitude or split with possibly disastrous results to the Coalition. Sir George Younger's political strength, which has yet to be fully proved, lies in his chairmanship of. the Unionist Party organisation rather than his Parliamentary position which in any case he is relinquishing at the expiry of this Parliament.