THE POSITION REVIEWED

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 93, 19 April 1916, Page 7

THE POSITION REVIEWED

LLOYD GEORGE THREATENS TO RESIGN. LONDON, 18th April. The Daily Telegraph says that an acute political crisis would throw the country into confusion, and spread dismay amongst our Allies. A sufficient answer to the compulsionists is that Lord Kitchener remains at the War. Office after Cabinet- has rejected genera! compulsion. The Unionist leaders have seen the full facts and figures, and have decided that there are limits to raising soldiers beyond which Britain cannot go safely. The Daily Chronicle says that there is a possibility that some of the Ministers will resign to-day. Though the Unionist members of the Cabinet conferred before the meeting, Cabinet, was unable to adjust its differences. The majority does not believe that a fresh measure of compulsion is yet necessary, but Mr. Lloyd George firmly holds that it is, and threatens to resign if Cabinet should finally decide against compulsion. On the other hand, "Mr. Arthur Henderson will, resign if it is decided that compulsion is necessary. CONFLICT BETWEEN MINISTERS Mr. Lloyd George's attitude is embarrassing the Unionist members of the Cabinet, as Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Austen Chamberlain are members of the sub-committee which, with Mr. Asquith and Air. M'Kenna, decided that it was not neccssady to enlist the unattested married men. In Mr. Lloyd George's view, the Army Council's recommendation is a fiat, and he insisted that the sub-committee's Teport should be referred back for fresh consultation with Lord Kitchener and Sir William Robertson. , This brought compulsion to a sharp issue. Mr. Bonar Law is in a most difficult position. He favours compulsory service, but attaches great importance to the preservation of the Coalition Government, and he is now forced to choose between the repudiation of Lord Lansdowne and Mr AusteU Chamberlain, and mooting the reproaches of Sir Edward Carson and the Unionist War Committee. Mr. Lloyd George estimates that the compulsion of mar-' ried men would add 400,000 to the army, and would be the oniy method of complying with the Army Council's requirements. It is noteworthy that the Manchester Guardian opposes compulsion, but invites some of the "most living minds in the Government" to pass into Opposition, and thus "recreate, a responsible Parliamentary criticism." "LOBBY HUMMING WITH RUMOURS" The Times says: "It is impossible to conceal the fact that affairs in the Cabinet reached a crisis on the very morning of Mr. Asquith's statement. The Government is without an agreed policy. The Cabinet meeting was of unusually short duration, but anxious yet abortive negotiations were continued in tlie evening, and ended in a deadlock. Meanwhile, the lobby is humming with, rumours of resignations. When it became clear that the Army Council's firm attitude had made important converts, Mr Lloyd George and Lord Kitchener were mentioned." The Daily Mail says: "There have been no resignations at the moment of going to press, but it is clear that Cabinet is very unsettled. Victory now depends on the adoption of compulsion^ Most nf the Cabinet Ministers are unwilling or unable to face the facts. Mr. Asquith should face the problem from tho standpoint of the soldiers and seamen, who aione know how many men are wanted to beat the Germans. Military necessity is giving- way to the fetish of unity, which means a compromise of impotence." THE ARMY COUNCIL'S DEMAND The political crisis developed late yes- | terday evening, when it became known that Mr. Lloyd George was heading a small minority of the Cabinet in the opinion that the Army Council's demands cannot be met by any scheme short of general compulsion, and was prepared to press that opinion to the extent of his resignation. Rumours of Mr. Lloyd George's I.threatened resignation are so frequent i that many of the members? of the House of Commons became doubtful, pointing out that Lord Kitchenet has apparently agreed with the majority in the Cabinet. The crisis became acute when it was declared that Lord Kitchener, the whole of the Army Council, and nil the Genera] Staff had signed a memorandum covering the Army's requirements. Lord C-urzon agrees with Mr. Lloyd George as to the necessity of meeting tho unanimous demand of the military authorities. Mr. Asquith, Mr. M'Kerma, Mr. Runciman, and possibly Mr. Balfour, oppose compulsion. Tho Daily Mail says that it is believed that Sir William Robertson (Chief of the General Staff) will resign if the Army Council's demands are not met. Mr. Bonar Law is inclined to waver. It is understood tiiat he is now considering his position in the Coalition. The Whips were active last night. Apparently Mr. Asquith is preparing for important action in the House of Commons, but possibly the statement will be postponed. The. King gave an audience to Mr. Asquith in the evening. Mr. Bonar Law's position largely depends 011 the attitude of the llnionioi; Party.