CABINET CRISIS

Grey River Argus, 21 October 1915, Page 5

CABINET CRISIS

GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST

MR ASQUITH'S ILLNESS

SIR EDWARD CARSON'S RESIGNATION.

\ z LONDON, October 19. : There is intense excitement in Britain over the Cabinet situation. For days there had been an uneasyfeeling amongst Ministers, but the tension Avas somewhat relieved last week ,when Sir Edward Carson flatly denied his reported resignation. ' Thereafter his movements were closely watched by the newspapers, and his absence from consecutive Cabinet meetings re-aroused the suspicion J which culminated in the announcement of his resignation. The report of Mr Asquith's :J'ness following Sir Edward Carson's resignation was the subject of comment by some papers which consider it may be a prelude to further Cabinet changes* The points on which there is said to be lack of unanimity are said to be the Gallipoli and Balkans campaign and conscription. Important meetings of the Cabinet were arranged for Tuesday morning, the third in 24 hours,__but had to be postponed until the afternoon on account of Mr Asquith's illness. The Cabinet met during the afternoon and Lord Kitchener ;ad Vr Asquith attended. Proceedings were curtailed, as Mr Asquith had ;•: "c absent attending the War Commute, and the House oi Commons. The Premier went to Berkshire on Saturday for the week-end .tnd returned unwell. His illness developed on Tuesday, and probably ne v. ill be unable to take up his Parliamentary duties for a week. A. doctor recommends a rest in the country. When the House of Commons met the galleries were packed, aim there was a Jarge attendance of members. Although it was generally known that Mr Asquith would not be present there Avas some expectation of a possible statement on" the situation. This Avas not forthcoming. Mr Asquith's place Avas taken by Mr Lloyd George, Avhose appearance betrayed the anxiety and sfress through Avhich he has lately been passing. There were cheers from all parts of the House when the Speaker said that he hoped Mr Asquith would be absent only for a brief time. Mr Lloyd George stated that Lord Haldane visited Francu as Sir John French's guest. It Avould be impossible to name the day of- the Premier's statement on the Dardanelles. Mr Lloyd George, replying to a question, said that the method by which •Italy Avoiild effectually co-operate in helping Serbia or the common cause was under discussion. Mr Brice said it was not proposed to intern or repatriate Bulgarians unless in individual cases. Lord Robert Cecil, in reply to Mr R. L. Outhwaite, said that Sir George Buehanan's statement on September oOth that the attack on the Dardanelles Avas partly due to the Russian request to divert the Turks from the Caucasus, must ,not be regarded as covering all the considerations involved. Lord Robert' Cecil added that it would be improper for him. to make a statement in regard to the impotance attached to the Dardanelles or other theatres of Avar by any of the Allies. Questions on the notice paper by Mr Joynson Hicks include: — Have sup^ plica of timber and iron been^diseinbarked at the Dardanelles to enable shelter/ to- be erected for the troops'? If not, what steps arc being taken to ensure the health of the troops duriug'tho Avinter? What number of cases of sickness have been removed from the Dardanelles? I s the proportion of sick and wounded reasonable? WHY SIR EDWARD CARSON REv; SIGNED. ■'.•.. (Reed. S.lO p.m.) . \ LONDON, October 19. Sir EdAvard Carson resigned mainly because he disapproves of the big new - 'advance in the Balkans. The "Irish Times" infers from, his ' resignation and General. Sir C. Mun- . roe's appointment, that the Dardan' elles campaign will. --not- be abandoned. (Reed. 12.25 a.m.) LONDON, October 20. It is expected tliat Mr F. V'- Smith will be appointed AUoriiey-Geueral and Mr George Cave, K.C., Solicitor-: