MR. LLOYD GEORGE RESIGNING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2945, 4 December 1916, Page 7

MR. LLOYD GEORGE RESIGNING

CABINET'S'METHODS TOO 'DILATORY RUMOURED RESIGNATION OF MR. ASQUITH RUMANIA THE LAST STRAW Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, (Ecc. December 3, 11.15 p.m.) London, December 2. Tho Cabinet crisis is engrossing publie attention. Mr. Asquith had a long audience with tho King, but afterwards proceeded for the week-end to tiio country. Tho "Evening Standard" states:— "Within tho Cabinet is a. strong section which favours unified control by a smaller- number of Ministers, with plenary powers. The probable breaktip of the Government will be averted by placing the control of tho war iu a reconstructed War Council. Mr. Lloyd George has long been dissatisfied with tho dilatdriness of Cabinet on war matters, and it is understood that Mr. Bonar Law heartily supports hiin. The "Manchester Guardian" declares that the House of Commons is in a mood to create a. new Ministry. Tho course of events is dependent upon Mr. Lloyd George, who immediately, or subsequently, must become tho head of tho Government. Meanwhile Mr. Bonar Law may become a transition Premier. The "Westminster Gazette" says: — "It is puro fiction to suggest that a large section of the Commons desire a change of Government. Mr. Asquith has a uniquo hold over the Commons. ASQUITH OR LLOYD GEORGE ; WAR. MINISTER FRETTING AT CABINET'S DELAi'S. (Rec. December 4, 1 a.m.) London, December 3. "Reynold's Newspaper" states that Mr. Lloyd George is resigning to-day. Mr. Lloyd George arrived at a definite conclusion that the methods of dilatoriness, indecision, and delay, which are characterising the action of tho .present War Council will,.' endanger our prospects of winning the war. He demanded a smaller Council, empowered to make prompt and binding decisions. It is believed that Mr. Asquith declined to accept that view, hence Mr. Lloyd George had no alternative but resignation, which was tendered, but delayed until to-day, at the instance of several colleagues, who are endeavouring, with little prospect of success, lo prevent the final step. Mr._ Lloyd George's reasons for his resignation will probably be published to-night. His failure io induce the Government to movo m time to prevent the tragic reverse in Rumania is doubtless the final fact operating in Mr. Lloyd Georgo's mind. (United Service.) (Rec. December 4, 1 a.m.) London, December 3. The "Evening News", says that it is rumoured that Mr. Lloyd George is busy packing, with a- view to vacating the' Ministry of War. It is reported that Mr. Asquith is' resigning and proceeding to the House of Lords. \ SIR EDWARD CARSON EXPECTED TO JOIN THE CABINET OUR REPLY TO GERMANY Austr"li.'in-N«w 'Zealand CaM» Association. (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 2. The "Daily Chronicle" snys that a reorganisation of the War Council is contemplated. It will probably consist of Mr. Asquith, Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. A. J. Balfour, Mr. Bonar Law, and Sir Edward Carson. The "Chronicle" adds: "The rumours of a drastic reconstruction of tho Cabinet arc unfounded. A reconstruction of the Cabinet's War Committee is likely, with a reduced membership, and much increased authoritv, but the initiation of a new policy will remain with tho Cabinet. Early developments are likely on those lines. Sir Edward Carson is expected to rejoin tho Cabinet without portfolio, and thus will be enabled to devote his whole attention to tho war. Mr. Asauith will bo chairman ex-officio, and Mr. Llovd George deputy-chairman. It is desirable, to relievo both of much Departmental labour by the appointment of an experienced official. Sir .Tohn Jellicoe and Sir William Robertson would naturally attend all the meetings. It has

been suggested that Lord Fisher might join tho War Council, hut there is not much unanimity about that. Anyhow, it is doubtful if ho would accept, Because he recently declined to return, to the Admiralty in an advisory capacity." The article concludes: "The fact that no decision has been reached and the tardiness of the Government's attitude on several great questions of policy is duo largely to'Minister 1 men-' tal fatigue from overwork and anxiety." THE NAVAL~CHANGES nteuter's Telegram.) (Rec. December 2, 2.40 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 1. In Germany the newspapers are commenting on the British Admiralty changes. The papers believe that they mean that Sir John Jellicoe was degraded for losing the Battle of Jutland. MAJOR-GENERAL YON DONOP SUCCESSOR TO MASTER-GENERAL OF ORDNANCE ANNOUNCED. (Aust.—N.Z. Cable Assn. and Beutsr.) (Rec. Decomber 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 2. Official—Major-General Furse will succeed Major-General Sir Stanley von Donop, as Master-General of Ordnance. [Major-General von Donop came into prominence early in the war owing to his German name. His father was a Vice-Admiral in tho British 'Navy. In October last he was gazetted a member ofUhe Army Council, but no information has, in the meantime, been made available that would indicate that ho has been retired or translated. Mr. Asquith, answering a question in the House in January last, defined MajorGencral Donop's official position as "technical adviser to the Secretary of State for War on all artillery matters. He is also responsible for the administration of the Directorates of Fortifications and Barrack Constuction."] LORD CHARLES BERESFORD AND THE NAVY PLEA FOR UNFETTERED ACTION, Australian-New Zealand Cable AwooiatiM. (Rec. December 2; 5.30 p.m.) London, December 1. I Lord Charles! Beresford, speaking at a. 1 mooting, said that the Germans were now going to send submarines to the Pacific and other British trade routes. It would be a crime to allow merchantment to go to sea unarmed. We ought to have a thousand aeroplanes over Zeebrugge day and night, with instructions to pulverise the place. A resolution was carried demanding a more effective blockade of the Germans, and more efficient steps in dealing with the submarine menace. (Banter's Telegram.) (Rec. December 2, 2.40 p.m.) London, December 1, Lord Beresford said that the Navy, had never been better than it was today, but it was fettered by a Govern* ment which had taken no apparent steps to grapple with the submarine menace to our food supplies. He urged that this hornet's nest at Zeehrugga should be smashed up. "Our present' naval policy was defence, instead of offence. Changes at the Admiralty would not make any difference so long as the administration remained unchanged."