P.M'S NEXT MOVE KEENLY AWAITED

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1940, Page 5

P.M'S NEXT MOVE KEENLY AWAITED

Labour Chiefs Refuse To Serve Under Him

Willing To Resign If National Government Formed ?

Churchill, Halifax Named As Successors

(Received 1.9 Q p.m.) LONDON' 'May 9. \FTER A DAY OF CONFLICTING RUMOURS NO CLUE HAS YET BEEN GIVEN OF MR. CHAMBERLAIN’S DECISION. His choice is apparently resignation or reshaping of the Government into a national form. Simultaneously, important French Cabinet changes are re-' ported to be under consideration. Mr. Chamberlain is reported to have asked the Labour leaders whether they are prepared to serve in a reconstructed Government under his leadership or under another Conservative leader. It is understood that Labour replied that service under Mr. Chamberlain was impossible.

Labour Party T® Decide

The Labour executive conference at Bournemouth tomorrow will decide whether service under another leader is possible. Mr. Chamberlain is reported to be willing to resign if a National Government can he formed by another leader, possibly. Viscount Halifax, with Mr. Churchill as leadin' in the House of Commons. Alternatively Mr. Churchill might be Prime Minister because of the traditional objection to the Prime Minister 'being in the House of Lords. The Press Association political writer says that even last night anti-Government’voters are now of opinion that Mr. Chamberlain will not resign. Some think he may formally hand in his resignation and then construct a new Government. Reuter’s political writer says Mr. Chamberlain has invited rebel members of the Government to a conference. A note of warning runs through the Press comment on the debate, which the commentator describes as "a great open debate in Westminster which, though painfully animated, has greatly increased the prestige of France’s ally.”

German, Italian Meaetiens - •

Authoritative quarters in Berlin says the vote is a heavy blow to the Government and indicates that the British are determined on a more active aggression and extension of the war. The Rome “Popolo d’ Italia” says Air. (’hmnherlain suffered a moral defeat with increased general disquiet to Britain. Italians interpret Mr. Churchill’s speech as an acknowledgment of the supremacy of the German Air Force against the Navy. Italian and German read ions differ in so much as 1 lie Italians display great interest and the Germans deliberately treat the debate as an event of secondary importance, explaining that members of the House of Commons demand a far more vigorous prosecution of the war as an indication that Britain is bent on plunging the whole of Europe into a total war. The House of Commons agreed to adjourn until May 21 after the Government had given an assurance that it would recall tic House earlier if necessary. *

Will See King!

The Foreign Secretary (Viscount Halifax) called on Mr Chamberlain at No. 10 Downing Street early this morning, after which the Prime Minister drove to the House of Commons. He smiled broadly as a crowd of 100 people in Downing Street cheered him. Mr Chamberlain was cheered by his supporters as he took his seat in the House. The House sat for only an hour or two before rising for the Whitsun recess. The Prime Minister said that if it were desirable he would arrange for a general debate on the conduct oft the war cr any phase ol' it when the House resumed. End of His Leadership? The London “Evening News" and the “Star,” in editorials, interpret the vote as marking the end of Mr Chamberlain's leadership. The lateness of the debate prevented a full-toned expression of opinion from European countries, although almost the whole of the neutral press describes the vote in the House of Commons as a’ moral defeat for Mr Chamberlain. At the same time it expresses admiration for the frankness with which the whole situation was ventilated. Mr Chamberlain, says the “Daily Mail.” will see His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace today to discuss the position of his Government. 44 Vote Against Party. Forty-four members of the Government voted against the Government. One hundred and thirty members of the House were absent for various reasons, including over 30 on service abroad. • . Members of the Government party who voted against the Government included a former First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. Duff-Cooper, Mr. L. S. Amery, Earl Winterton (Pay-master-General), Mr. R. J. G. Boothby, Mr. Leslie Hore-Belisha, former Minister for War, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes, and Lady Astor The present state of the parties is as follow:* Government ... 414 Opposition .......... 191 .Independent 10

Before the division was taken, the last speaker for the Government. Mr. Winston Churchill, said the House would be wrong to take it at such little notice. It would be ungenerous and unworthy to turn against the- _ Prime Minister in a moment of difficulty, without grave debate. Mr. Churchill Urges Dignity; “Let personal quarrels be forgotten.” urged Mr. Churchill. “Let us keep our hatreds from the enemy. “Let us ignore party interests. “Let all our energies be harnessed. “At no time in the last war were we in greater peril than now. (Opposition cheers). “I urge the House to ileal with these matters, not by a precipitate vote, but in accordance With the dignity of Parliament.” The result of the division was announced amid intense excitement. It drew loud Ministerial cheers and equally loud Opposition countercheers. with shouts of “Resign!” from the Labour benches, and then concerted Opposition cries: “Go! Go!” As Mr. Chamberlain and the Ministers left the House, members of the Opposition rose and. directing their gaze at Mr. Churchill, sang the opening bars of “Rule, Brittania!” Government Dissenters Others included: Mr W. J. An-struther-Gray, Col. H. W. Burton, Mr H. G. Butcher, Mr E. Clement Davies (previously Liberal-National, now Independent), Mr Somerset de Chair, Mr P. V. Emrys-Evans, Sir Ralph Glyn, Mr E. H. Keeling. Mr H. W. Kerr, Mr Richard K. Law (the late Bonar Law’s son), Mr F. Medlicott, Mr Hugh Molson, Mr Stuart Russel and Mr Ronald Tree. A group of 30 Government dissenters, formed by Sir G. F. Davies and Mr R. J. Boothby, met and elected Mr L. S. Amery chairman. It was decided to give full support to any'Prime Minister who could form a genuine National Government. Mr T. Levy, Sir Herbert Williams, Sir Reginald Clarry and Sir G. G. Mitcheson later placed their views before Mr Chamberlain, y It is understood that they represent only a small section of the Government back-benchers’ committee.