CABINET CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2751, 20 April 1916, Page 5

CABINET CRISIS

STATEMENTS IN PARLIAMENT ANNOUNCEMENT DEFERRED TILL TO-DAY i CRITICISM IN HOUSE Op LORDS By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyrieht London, April 18. There was a large attendance at Westminster in anticipation of Mr. Asquith's Statement. The absenco of Mr. Lloyd George was notable. The Finance Bill 'was passed. Mr. Asquith announced the postponement of the statement until Wednesday. Mr. Asquith is president of a Special Committee appointed ■ to make a final effort to solve the recruiting problem. The Committee includes Lord Kitchener, Mr. Lloyd George, the Marquis of Crewe, Sir William Robertson, Mr. Walter Long, and Mr. A. Henderson. MR. CHURCHILL CONFERS WITH MR. LLOYD GEORGE FURTIVE ENTRY BY THE SIDE DOOR, (Rec. April 10, 8.50' p.m.) London, April 19. Mr. Winston Churchili has returned from France, and visited Mr. Lloyd using the side door in order to avoid the publicity of Downing Street. He then had a conferenco with Sir Edward Carson, with whom lie was seated on this front Opposition benches when Mr. Asquith explained that there were still points outstanding without which a statement on the recruiting question would be incomplete and inadequate. Mr. Asquith agreed to Sir Edward Carson's suggestion for the Cabinet statement to be, made on "Wednesday, the discussion to follow on Thursday. j DEBATE IN THE LORDS A MANY-SIDED PROBLEM T j , London, April 18. Lord Milner's motion to institute general compulsion Without delay was debated ill the House of Lords. The mover stlid he thought that the age limit might advantageously be raised to fortyfive. Our lack of men had been a permanent and übiquitous cause of weakness, and our heaviest handicap. The time had come to put the last oUlice into the struggle., 'The Marquis of Creive said that.the Government hoped to makea statement on Wednesday. It had to view the question from every possible angle. The debate was adjourned, v * LABOUR'S. VIEW ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Roc. April 19, 5.10 p.m.) London, April 18. "The Times," in a leader, says: "The fortunes of the Struggle and the fate of England and the Empire hangs on Mr. Asquith's announcement # toKlay. Tho Empire has reached a point when it must state whether it intends to straighten out tho confusion of the present recruit-, ing method and maintain tho forces Which are indispensable to victory. The prodigious efforts to mako the plain re* quiremeiits of the military situation square with tho exigencies of politicians have, we believe, failed, and. nothing short of a single comprehensive mea* eiii'e 'for universal'service/will satisfy the' situation. _ Labour apparently is divided regarding compulsion." Mr. John Hodge, M.P. (Labour), im terviewed to-day, said': "If the Govern* inent tells us that general conscription is the only way to win the war, 1 do not think any objections will be raised. The Unions will be with the Governmentj if the need for men is so pressing."' The Independent Labour Party, on the other hand, declares that the National Service Act must be repealed. MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY. (Rec. April 19, 8.50 p.m.) London, April 19. The. Parliamentafy Labour Party met last everting, and after prolonged discussion resolved against tho extension of compulsion to the -married men, thus threatening. tho resignation of the three Labour Ministers. It is understood that Mr. .Lloyd George will propose a Compulsion Bill, ivith a proviso that its powers shall only be exercised if the yield of unattested married men under the new voluntary recruiting pldii falls below 50,000 per month.' ' The Labour members refuso to accept this. LATEST NEWS FROM THE LOBBIES UNIONIST WAR COMMITTEE MEETING NEW BASIS OF COMPROMISE. . (Rec. April 19, 10.60 p.m.) 1 London, April 19. Tlie lobbies at St* Stephen's were excited throughout the and evening. The attitude of Mr. Bonar Law and the Unionist Cabinet Ministers was largely influenced by the meeting of the Unionist War Committee, headed by Sir Edward Carson. One hundred and twenty-five members were, present, and the speeches showed that the majority of the Unionists were determined to insist on a final solution of the rbcl'uiting question, though Lord Hugh Cecil struck of extreme caution. . Later in the evening the situation, became somewhat easier, owing to the efforts of the Cabinet Committee — which was formed in the morning— consisting of Mr. Asquith, Lord Kitchener, Mr. Bonar Law, Mr. Lloyd George, and Mr. Arthur Henderson— to try to find some solution. Tho "Daily Mail" and the "Daily jtfews" state that the Committee placed the position before the military cliiefs, explaining the measures: favoured by the majority of the Cabinet, • but tho military chiefs, iiotabl.7 Sir_ William Robertson, expressed dissatisfaction, that these wotild not Secure the requisite numbers. The Committee finally decided, therefore, to suggest at to-day's Cabinet meeting, the following compromise:— "General Compulsion Bill not to be Init'otiuced at itfestinti but if existing and new measures do not provide sufficient men. there is to be no further apposition to compulsion for married men." UNIONIST CABINET FORESHADOWED WITH A GENERAL ELECTION IN MAY' (Rec. April 19, 8.50 p.m.) London, April 19. The newspapers foreshadow a Unionist Cabinet, Which Will include Mr. Lloyd George, and a general election in May. The. "Daily Chronicle", saysi "Unless Oubinet decides upon compulsion Mr.'

I.loyd George, Mr. Bonar Law, and the Unionist members will resign. Tho Cabinet Committee which _ investigated thg Army Council's requirements refrained from expressing an opinion on tho question of general compulsion. The tone of the report, however, suggested that they regarded'.compulsionus unsuitable for the future. Though our military needs for several months could be satisfied By- tho enlistment of lads of eighteen, attested married men, and the retention of time-expired men, the Army' Council desires to be guaranteed a steady inflow of men up till December." "PRESS DICTATORSHIP" .("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, April 18! Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P. (organising secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants), addressing the. railwayman, said that the only way to lose tho war was to break the national unity. The workers were fully alive to the Press intrigue, and would resist a Press dictatorship. DEMAND FOR A "WAR OPPOSITION" (■'Times" and Sydney "Sun" Service's.) London, Aoril 17. The "Daily Mail," in a leader, Fays: "If we cannot haie a War Government at once, we can have a Wa-r Opposition led by patriotic itien -of both parties, which would give the material for' an alternative Ministry, and ei\d the paralysing effect of the disastrous coalition. '* GERMAN PRESS ON THE CRISIS ' MR. ASQUITH'S SUPREME TEST.. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun", Services.) London, April 18. The "Berliner Tageblatt," in discussing what it terms "the Cabinet crisis .over the compulsion issue," says: "Mr. Asqltiflii was able recently to celebrate the end of an eight years' Premiership. This is proof of his extraordinary capacities in finding a way out of thorny situations and slipping past abysses. Now his gifts will be subjected to the severest test. Ho is expected to solve the compulsory service problem without a Parliamentary smash."