BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER

Evening Star, Issue 18280, 21 May 1923, Page 6

BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER

NOT FIT TO CARRY ON.

NEW LEADER WANTED.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, May 18.

The visit of Sir Thomas Horder (medical specialist) to Paris to see Mr Bonar Law was by previous arrangement, and not due to any sudden, development. It is understood that Sir Thomas’s examination revealed that while'there has been some response to treatment, it_ did not come up o expectations. In political circles here is a renewal of speculation about Mr Bonar Law’s, early retirement from the Prime Ministership.

Tho ‘ Sunday Observer’s ’ Paris correspondent reports that three specialists saw Mr Bonar Law before Sir Thomas Horder. They pronounced the malady from which he is suffering to he incurable, and urged his immediate retirement from public duties. All who saw the Prime Minister in Paris report that ho is a very sick man.. The ‘Daily Express’s’ Paris correspondent states that Mr Bonar Law dined with a party of friends, including Mr L. C. Amery, at tho Hotel Grill on. It is understood that further conferences of specialists will take place almost immediately.—A. and N.Z. Cable, BACK IN LONDON. NO MEDICAL STATEMENT AVAILABLE. LONDON, May 20. The Prime Minister unexpectedly arrived in London on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by his son. The usual crowd was* awaiting tho train, but few saw tho Prime Minister stop from the saloon and hurry to his motor car and drive straight to his private residence at Onslow Gardens. It is said that he looked tired and ill. Sir Thomas Harder, who dined at Onslow Gardens, left at 11.45 p.m. He said that he was quite unable to make any statement. It is understood that Mr Bonar Law went to bis town house instead of to the official residence at Downing street by the special request of Sir Thomas Horder, who wishes him to continue a complete rest. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

MR BONAR LAW’S SILENCE.

LONDON. May 20,

There is not the faintest from any source of the Prime Minister's intentions. Ho intimated to his friends that ho would not discuss his condition. Sir Thomas Horder also returned an absolute negative to all requests for information. Mr Bonar Law may have returned to place his resignation in the hands of, tho King, or, on the other hand,_ ho may bo awaiting a final medical decision to decide whether he should carry on any longer. All that is is an announcement as soon as possible. All who saw the Prime Minister at Victoria station agree that he was noticeably tired. He walked along the platform with Sir Frederick Sykes and Colonel Waterhouse, each holding an. arm. The anxiety of the whole country _ is reflected in the Sunday newspapers, which eulogise Mr Bonar Law’s services.

LORD BEAVERB-ROOK’S HINT,

LONDON, May _ 20. Lord Beaverbrook, in an article in. the 1 Sunday Express,’ gives the nearest approach to a hint as the result of his personal observations ami conversations_ m Paris. This is a reference to tho Prime Minister’s public exertions and private sorrows, “ Under these circumstances.” says Lord Beaverbrook, “his Premiership cannot bo regarded as rn-ext-ensive in time with the term of Parliament or the endurance of bis majority.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

[Lord Beavcrhronk is an intimate friend of Mr Eonar Law. He is a Unionist, and was bead of tho Ministry of Information in 1918.] THE NEXT HEAD. SEVERAL NAMES CANVASSED. LONDON, May 18. The ‘ Observer ’ says that the political situation is without precedent. Tho sequel may be of critical importance at home and abroad. It is preferable that _Mr Bonar Law should remain Prime Minister until the possibilities of a Unionist reunion have been examined and brought to a conclusion one way or the other. If lie is compelled to retire immediately the choice if a successor would lie between Lord Curzon, Lord Derby, tho D i uke of Devonshire, Mr Stanley Baldwin, and the Earl of Balfour. Lord Derby would have a better chance at a General Election than anv of the others, but the best solution would ba to bring Lord Balfour back as the head of a broad-bottomed Administration. No one would hesitate to serve under him.

The ‘ Sunday Times' Bays that there would he such inconvenience in Mr Bonar Law remaining head of the Government without directing it that this cannot seriously be considered. If the decision of the 'doctors is for _ a prolonged rest ho should assuredly resign. Lord Curzon is his obvious successor. Tho ‘ Daily Chronicle’s ’ political writer says : “ The Prime. Minister’s friends say that, although ho looks better and has kept fairly well during his holiday, undue strain must be avoided, and an early retirement be therefore expected. It is anticipated that it will take place in July. Tho fact that rivalries among the Conservative leaders are becoming more apparent indicates that belief in his retirement is spreading. _ His successor is benm discussed in political circles. Lord Curzon and Mr Stanley Baldwin .are most prominently mentioned. Mr Chamberlain's followers maintain that there should lie a real reconstruction of tho Government in the event of Mr Bonar Law’s retirement.” ~, _ Tho ‘ Daily Express says : Mr Bonax Law intends' to resign on arrival in London, and to take a long rest.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. Mr Stanley Baldwin, at the annual meeting of the Bewdley Conservative Association, said that he desired to return to London by an early train. Ho made no reply to a vote of confidence in himself at the beginning instead of the end of tho proceedings. —A. and N.Z. Cable. —■ ■