A BOMBSHELL.

Northern Advocate, 7 December 1916, Page 3

A BOMBSHELL.

WHERE THE DIFFERENCE CAME

NO PERSONAL DIFFERENCE.

(Press Assn.—Reed. 10.55 p.m.)

LONDON, November 6. Mr Asquith's resignation came as a bombshell, showing that-every effort, to preserve the unity of the Coa'ition Government had failed, though Mr Lloyd George's wishes concerning the War Council had been accepted on principle on Sunday. Mr Asquith contended that the powers of the Cauncii must be derived from Cabinet as a whole, consequently it was necessary to find the Ministers who were prepared to delegate their authority to the smaller body. Mr Lloyd George did not object to Mr Asquith being a member of the Council, but held that a member of the Council could not at the same time discharge the duties of Prime Minister since his time would be taken up by general administrative supervision and attendance in the House of Commons. When it was found impossible to reconcile the conflicting views Mr Asquith called the Liberal leaders together including Sir Edward Grey, Right Hon. L. Harcourt, Right Hon. E. S. Montagu, Right Hon. H. Samuel, Lord Crewe, Mr McKenna, Mr Runciman, Lord Reading and Mr Henderson. Later Lord Curzon was called in and they commenced negotiation with Mr Bonar Law. Just before seven o'clock Mr Asquith drove to Buckingham Palace and had half-an-hour's audience with the King. When he returned to Downing street he was not carrying his portfolio. Apparently Mr Asquith suggested to the King to summon Mr Bonar Law. Throughout Mr Lloyd 'George was most conciliatory and his letter of resignation was couched in the most friendly terms. He recalled a decade of intimate personal association with Mr Asquith, emphasising the fact that despite sharp differences of opinion which occasionally occurred there was never a personal quarrel. Mr Lloyd George proposes that the War Council meet twice daily, or oftener, and he attaches importance to the presence of a Labour Minister in the Council, holding that Labour is vitally concerned in the effective prosecution of the gigantic conflict. Mr Lloyd George and Mr Bonar Law are no parties to the efforts of the Northcliffe press to drive Mr Asquith from the Premiership. They only knew Mr Asquith's final decision to resign at 6.30 o'clock when Lord "urzon returned from the Liberal Cabinet meeting. Three hours later Mr Bonar Law was summoned to Buckingham Palace.