NO RESIGNATIONS REPORTED.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14156, 19 April 1916, Page 5

NO RESIGNATIONS REPORTED.

LOBBIES HUMMING WITH RU-

MOURS,

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CRISIS

MILITARY AUTHORITIES

UNANIMOUS.

April 18, 11.25 p.m.)

London, April 18

"Tho Times" says it is impossible to conceal tlipi- fact that affairs in the Cabinet have' reached a crisis. ? On. the very morning Mr. Asquith's statement was to be made the Government were without an agreed upon policy. The Cabinet meeting wa-s of tmusually short duration, but abortive negotiations continued until the evo-mng, when they ended in a deadlock. Meanwhile the lobby is hmrming with rumours of resignations. When it was clear that the Army Council's firm attitude had made important converts, Mi" Lloyd George and Lord Kitchener were mentioned. The "Daily Mail" says there were no resignations at the moment of going to press, but it is clear that the Cabinet is very unsettled. Victory now depends upon the adoption of compulsion. Most of the members of the Cabinet are unwilling or unable to face the facts. Mr Asquith should face the problem from the standpoint of the soldiers and seamen,, who alone know i'hoTV many are wanted to beat the Ger- ! mans. Military necessity is giving wavy !to the fetish of unity, which means compromise and impotence. The political crisis developed late yesterday evening, when it became known that Mr Lloyd George was heading 'a small minority of the Cabinet who arc of opinion that the Army Council's demands cannot be met by any scheme' short- of gejneral compulsion. They are prepared to press their opink)ii to the extent of resignation. Rumours of Mr Lloyd George's resignation are so frequent that many ! members of the House of Commons are j doubtful, pointing out that Lcfd Kltichener apparently agreed with the majority of the Cabinet. The crisis be- ! .came acute when .it transpired that Lord Kitchener, th<? whole of the Army Council, and all the General Staff I signed the memorandum regarding the iA-rmy's requirements. Lord Curzon agrees with Mr Lloyd George that it is necessary to meet the unanimous demand of the military authorities. Mr Asquith, Mr McKenna, Mr Itunciman, and possibly Mr Balfour oppose I compulsion. The "Daily Mail" says it is believed that Sir William Robertson will resign if the Army Council's demands are not met. Mr Bonar Law is inclined to waver. It is understood that he is now considering the position. The Coalition Whips were active last night. Apparently Mr Apquith is preparing for important action in the House of Commons. Possibly his statement will be postponed. The King gave- an audience to Mr Asquith in the evening. Mr Bonar Law's position'largely depends upon the attitude, of the Unionist Party.