A NEW TURN.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18195, 4 October 1924, Page 13

A NEW TURN.

POLITICAL CRISIS. LIBERALS CHANGE FRONT. AMENDMENT TO VOTE OF CENSURE. (bt cable—paess association— coptbight) (riutxx's telegsams.) (Received October 3rd, 5.25 p.m.) LONDON, October 2. An unexpected development in the political situation has occurred owing to the tabling of a Liberal amendment, in liie name of Sir John Simon, to the Conservative vote of censure, proposing the appointment of a Select Committee to investigate and report on the circumstances leading to the withdrawal of the "Workers' Weekly" proceedings. Sir John Simon was one of the Government's foremoft critics when tho subject was discussed in the House of Commons on September 30th. (austealian axd n.z. cable association.) LONDON, October 2. The day brought about :i dramatic change in the political situation. When the Liberal rank and file gathered in the lobbies it was evident that thi>re wag a. marked disinclination to follow the Asquith-Simon lead in the direction of an immediate' election. The opinion was generally expressed that the country would not welcome an election, especially on a flimsy pretext like the Campbell case. Tlii l Government's danger in connexion with the Russian Treaty also has been partially removed by the announcement that Mr MacPonald would not regard an amendment to the Treaty as a vote of censure. As regards the Conservative motion in connexion with the "Workers' Weekly," when the Liberal rank and file expressed a dislike of this, Mr Asquith, Sir John Simon, and other leaders hurriedly met, and after a long discussion revised the previous decision to support the vote' of censure on Wednesday. Instead, Sir John Simon has asked leave to move an amendment. This takes prccedeuco of the voto of censure, so if the Government is defeated it will not necessarily resign. DRAMATIC POSSIBILITIES. PARTIES AND CHANCES. (Received October 3rd, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, October 2. The "Evening Standard" says the political crisis holds dramatic possibilities. If the Government should resign next week, Mr Baldwin undoubtedly would refuse office, because in its present temper his party could not hope to carry the Irish Bill, while, if severely modified, tho measure would be defeated by a combination of Labourites and Liberals. In the event of Mr Baldwin's refusal, Mr Asquith might be called on to form a Ministry, which would prepare an attractive programme and appeal to the country for a majority. Meanwhile the Communist Party has issued a manifesto condemning Labour's acceptance of the Dawes plan and the imposition of hard terms on the Soviet, declaring that a vote for Labour means a vote for a new Liberal Party. I.L.P. FIGHTING FUND. (Received October 3rd, 8.3 a p.mO LONDON, October 3. /The Independent Labour Party has issued an appeal for an election fund of £ 12,000. FROM BOTH SIDES. LEADERS' SPEECHES. (Received October 3rd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 2. Mr J. R. Clynes (Deputy Leader of the House), speaking at a trade union meeting in London, twitted the Liberals and Conservatives with being angry at Labour's succesß as regards Eussia. "We are being denounced," he said, "because we have succeeded where the Coalition failed, while Mr Mac Donald has become the greatest symbol of peace the modern world lias ever known. The reactionaries can stand our success no longer." Mr Clync's added that the Liberal motion against the Russian Treaty was the greatest blunder in the history of Liberal leadership. It would in due course reduce the Liberals to a fragmentary part of the reactionary political forces.

Mr Baldwin addressed 4000 Conservatives at Newcastle Hippodrome. The loudest cheers greeted his affirmation that Britain's natural markets were the Dominions of the Empire. In view of the possible development of trade with the Dominions and Colonics the Bussian loan was a piece of incalculable folly. He asked if the Dominions had been consulted in regard to the Russian Treaty. The "Workers' Weekly" to-day complains of the Goverment's servility to capitalism, and urges the Labour Government to stop apologising for what everyone in the Labour movement regards as a meritorious action, and concludes by demanding the repeal of thf mutiny Act and the sedition laws.

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FATE OF GOVERNMENT. DEFEAT EXPECTED. (reuteb's telegrams.) (Received October 3rd, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 2. A lobby correspondent says it is now strongly believed the Government will be defeated on the Conservative vote of censure regarding the withdrawal of the criminal proceedings ' against the editor of the "Workers' Weekly," and that a General Election will follow. Nevertheless, in the event of defeat all parties will probably agree to pass the Irish BillIt is believed Mr Mac Donald will not resign; but political opinion is emphatic that he will appeal to the country on Labour's handling of foreign affairs, and on its programme relating to domestic matters. ELECTION IMMINENT. THE GENERAL OPINION. LONDON, October 2. The "Evening Standard" says it is generally accepted by all parties that a general election is imminent. The Liberals have not definitely decided whether to support the Conservatives' censure motion arising out of the Communist prosecution, but the prevailing opinion is that they are committed to it- In that event the Government will be defeated next week. Mr Baldwin, when departing northwards to-day, said he was convinced that thp Conservatives would support the Liberals on the anti-Bussian treaty motion. He believed tlic Ministry was satisfied that an election sere inevitable in November at the latest. He believed, too, that Mr Mac Donald favoured an immediate appeal to the electors, preferring a decision next week instead of waiting for the Liberal motion. Mr Mac Donald's speech at the Labour Party Conference on October 7th is expected to be an election address. COMMENT OF "THE TIMES." LONDON, October 2. The political editor of ."The Times" says that the Liberal Party's Bussian Treaty 'decision has entirely transformed the political situation. It is now certain that the treaty will be rejected if it still contains the scheme for a guaranteed loan. Mr Mac Donald must accordingly decide whether to scrap the present treaty and set to work on.an entirely new basis, or whether to accept the Liberal challenge. Labourites were inclined to believe the Liberals did not really mean to oppose the Treaty, but Mr Asquith's motion. leaves no room to doubt that Mr Mac Donald will have to make his decision with the knowledge that, on this issue at any rate, the party which put 'him in office is now perfectly ready to depose him.