POLITICAL DEAD-LOCK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13972, 19 April 1916, Page 3

POLITICAL DEAD-LOCK.

THE ARMY COUNCIL'S DEMANDS CONCESSION OF LLOYD GEORGE AND LORD KITCHENER. LOBBY HUMMING WITH RUiMORS p ; LONDON, April 18. The political crisis is developing. Late yesterday evening it became known that Mr Lloyd George had headed a small minority m Cabinet m the opinion that the Army Council's demands could not . be ■ miet by any scheme short of; general compulsion,' and this .'prepared press opinion to expect his resignation. "" Rumors of Mr Lloyd George's'threatened resignation have been so frequent that many M's-P. are doubtful, pointing ont that Lord Kitchener apparently agreed with the majority of the Cabinet. The crisis became acute when Lord Kitchener and the whole Army Council and all the General Staff signed a -memorandum on the army's requirements. •Lord Curzon agrees with Mi* Lloyd Gfeorge on tho necessity for meeting the uuanimous demand of the military authorities, and Mr Asquith, Mr McKenna, Mr Runciman, and possibly Mr Balfour oppose compulsion. The Daily Mail says it is believed C'iCT eral Robertson will resign if the Army Council's demands are not met. -Mr Bonar Law is inclined to waver, arjd it is understood is now considering his position m the Coalition.

The whips were active last night* and apparently Mr Asquith is preparing for important action m the House of Commons. Possibly his statement will be postponed.

',The King gave an audience to Mr Asquith this evening. *Mr Bonar Law's position largely depends on the attitude of the Unionist party. ,

Latest advices show. that the Cabinet crisis is at a critical state. Cabinet lias 'not arrived at a decision satisfactory to ' Mr Lloyd George, who continues to demand compulsion for married men. The Army Council continues to firmly demand compulsion for married men. despite Mr Asquith and a sub-committee of the Cabinet maintaining that the committee's recommendations are • sufficient.

The Daily Telegraph says an acute political crisis would throw the country into confusion and spread dismay among the Allies: It is a sufficient answer to compulsionists that Lord Kitchener remains at the War Office after Cabinet has rejected general compulsion. Tliip Unionist leaders have seen tho full facts and figures, and have decided that there are limits to raising soldiers, beyond which Britain cannot go safely. ; The Daily Chronicle says there is a possibility that some Ministers will resign to-day. Though the Unionist Cabinet members conferred before the meeting, Cabinet was unable to adjust differences. A majority of the Ministers do ndt believe a fre&h measure of compulsion is yet • necessary, but Mr Lloyd George holds this "firmly, and threatens to resign if Cabinet finally decades against compulsion. Alternatively, Mr Henderson will r*sign if it is decided that compulsion is necessary. Mr Lloyd George's attitude is embarrassing to tlno Unionist Ministers, as Lord Lansdowne and Mr Chamberlain are members of tho sub-committee with Mr Asquith and Mr McKenna which decided* that it is unnecessary to- enlist unattested married men.' Mr Lloyd George, in 'view of the Council's fiat, insisted that the report be referred back for fresh consultation with Lord Kitchener and General Rob'ertson, and thus brought compulsion to a sharp issue. Mr Bonar Law iff m a most difficult position. He favors compulsoi'y service, but attaches great importance to the preservation of the Coalition. • He is np,\v forced to choose between the,, re pudiation of Lord Lansdowne and Mr Chamberlain and meeting and being reproached by Sir Edward Carson and the Unionist War Committee. Mr Lloyd George estimates that compulsion for married men will add 400,000 men to the army; and says it is the only method <>f complying with the Army Council's requirements. :'r-

.It is noteworthy that the Manchester Guardian* opposes'^ compulsion, but invites some of the most active minds m .he Government to pass into opposition and thus recreate a responsible parliamentary criticism. ..

, The Times says- it - is impossible to; ■onceal tho fact that, tho affairs of the Cabinet reached a crisis the very morning of Mr Asquith's statement that the Government was without any agreed policy. The Cabinet meeting was of unusually _ short duration, but anxious and abortive^ negotiations were continued m the evening and ended m a- deadlock. Meanwhile the lobby is humming with rumors of resignations, while •it is clear that the Army Council's 'firm attitude has made important. >. converts. Mr Lloyd George and Lo^l Kitchener being mentioned.

i Tho Daily Mail says: "Thgre- auie nr resignations at the moment of our going to press, but it is clear that Cabinet is very unsettled. Victory now depends on the adoption of compulsion. Most members of the Cabinet aro unwilling 6r unable td' face the problem from the standpoint of the soldiers and seamen who alono know how many men are •Wanted to beat the Germans. Military necessity is giving way to a fetish of unity, which means compromise and impotence."