BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

A CABINET CRISIS. LLOYD GEORGE DfSKTS Ofi . ; , CfIMiPELSIGX. - IE MAY RESIGN. NEWSPAPER OPIKIOH, • J * Received April 18, 0.30 pjn. London, April 18. ,i,. The Cabinet crisis is at a critical stage, and the members have not arrived »t;a decision satisfactory to Mr. Lloyd George, who continues to demand compulsion of married men. '■;' THE DAILY TELEGRAPH. The Daily Telegraph says that- an - acute political crisis would throw the "' .country into confusion and spread dis- ' . Say ambbg the Allies. A sufficient •nawejr to Jomnulsionists is that ixird Kitchener remains at the War Office ' !»fte> Cabinet had rejected general compulsion, and Unionist leaders bad seen the full facts and figures and decided ; tkat there are limits to the raising of wWiers beyond which Britain cannot go ■'■ iftfily. '■'-' ;■ ■ THE CHRONICLE. ■The Daily Chronicle says that there '. U a possibility that some Ministers will '" resign to-day. Though the Unionist members of the Cabinet conferred before the meeting, Cabinet was unable , ' to adjust the differences. The majority does not believe that a fresh measure 'of compulsion is yet. necessary, but Mr. ! Lloyd George holds this view firmly, and threatens to resign if Cabinet finally do«ides against compulsion. Alternatively Mr. Henderson will resign it it Is decided that compulsion is necessary. Mr Lloyd George's attitude is embarrassing ,to Unionist members of the Cabinet, asLord Lansdowne and Mr. Chamberlain, ■'■ who were members of the sub-committee along with Mr. Asqiiith and Mr. McKenna. decided that it was unnecessary • to enlist unattested married men. Mr. Lloyd George, in view ot the Army Council's Art, insisted on the report being referred back for fresh consultation Lord Kitchener and General Sir W. P. Robertson, and has thus brought the compulsion question to a sharp i»stie. MR. BONAR LAW'S DILEMMA. Mr. Bonai Law is in a most difficult ';osition. Re favors compulsory service, °>ut attaches great importance to the •yitservation of the coalition. He is now forced to chooße between the repudiation of Lord Lansdowne and Mv. Cham- '> ficrbin and the meeting which reproach<*s Sir Edward Carson, and the Unionist War Committee. Mr. Lloyd George estimate* that the compulsion of married men' will add 400,000 to the army, and that that is the only method of complying with the Army Council's requirements. It is noteworthy that the Manchester Guardian opposes compulsion, but invites sonte of the most live minds of tke Goytjjltipent to pass into opposition, and thus recreate responsible Parlia> Whtary criticism. LORD SYDENHAM'S VIEWS. Lqrd Sydenham, commenting on the current situation, says that earnes't thinkers in rll parts of the Empire have long believed that British people could not rise to the full height of theii mission in the world, and develop their unrivalled resources or safeguard their liberties against aggression, without closer union of purpose and effort. Much has been done to secure joint counsels and provide an interchange of information in regard to matters >f Imperial defence, but the advisory bodies can rarely succeed in attaining great objects, ■ and conferences may fail where exceptive action is imperatively required! The vision of a federal Empire has been blurred and indistinct in the past, but it now stands *orth in clear outline, as the result of the startling revelations which the "war has forced upon us. We now Understand that all we cherish is at stake and has been in grave peril. .We realise as never before that far closer Imperial co-operation is essential, not only for national safety, but for the solution, of vital economic problems. We shall have to reconstruct the shaken fabric of our prosperity by turning the Whole resources of the Empire to account for the benefit of its citizens of all classes. Is this possible without organic union? Will not our shared sacrifice* of gallant lives and treasure, lav- ' ishlypolired'ottt, be in vain if we do not t'ott create an Empire in the Government of which -all members' can tike part? CiWw supreme to opportunity eve* recur again f Onf the answer of these qolsstitms the future of th« British .. pa*'eoend.', ".;..-,/

POSITION ACUTE,

ARMY COUNCIL REQUIREMENTS. Received April 18, III" n.nt London, April 18. . The Times says that it is impossible to conceal the fact that the affairs of the Cabinet have reached a crisis. On the very morning of Mr. Asquith's statement the Government had not agreed upon a policy, and the Cabinet wag of unusually short duration, but anxious, though abortive, negotiations were continued till the evening, and then ended in a deadlock. Meanwhile the Lobby was humming witli rumours of resignations, when it was clear that the Army Council's attitude had made important converts, Mr. Lloyd George and Lord Kitchener being mentioned. ■ FACE THE FACTS. The Daily Mail says: There arc 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 Cabinet members 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 how many men are wanted to beat the Germans. Military necessity is giving way to a fetish of unity, which means a compromise, ..^mfc, MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S THREATENED RESIGNATION. The political crisis developed late yesterday evening, when it was known that Mr. Lloyd George was handing in the opinion of a small minority of the Cabinet that the Army Council's demands cannot be met by any scheme short of general compulsion, and was prepared to press this opinion to the extent of resignation. Rumours of Mr. Lloyd George's threatened resignation have been so frequent that many Commoners are doubtful about it, and point out that Lord Kitchener apparently agreed with the .majority. The Cabinet crisis became acute when it apj>eared that Lord Kitchener stated that the whole of the Army Council and all the General Staff had signed a memorandum of the army's requirements. OTHER OPINIONS. Lord Curzon agrees with Mr. Lloyd George for the necessity of making the unanimous demands fo the military authorities. Messrs. Asquith, McKenna, Runciman, and possibly Mr. Balfour, will oppose compulsion. The Daily Mail says that it is believed that General Sir W. P. Robertson will resign if the Army Council's demands are not met. MR. B(SNAR LAW'S POSITION. Mr. Bonar Law is inclined to waver, and it is understood that he is now considering the position of the Coalition Government. The Whips were active last night, and apparently Mv. Asquith is preparing for important action in the Commons. Possibly his statement may be postponed. The King gave an audience to Mr. Asquith this evening. Mr. Bonar Law's opinion largely depends on the attitude of the Unionist Party. LLOYD GEORGE DETERMINED. MOMENTOUS SITUATION LIKELY. London, April 17. The Daily Chronicle says that Mr. Lloyd George does not waver in his conviction that general compulsion is necessary. A rumor was current on Sunday evening that Mr. Lloyd George may resign if he disapproves of to-day's Cabinet's decision. In any event, the Cabinet meeting may be of momentous consequences. ! * ARMY COUNCIL FIRM. FOR COMPULSION OF MARRIED MEN. Received 4pril 18, 0.30 p.m. London, April 18. The Army Council continues to firmly demand compulsion of married men, despite the fact that Mr. Asquith and the sub-committee of the Cabinet maintain that the committee's recommendations are sufficient. DOUBLE INCOME-TAX. London, Apil 17. Mr. MeKerina, in the House of Commons, said he was willing to consider the request for a deputation, after Easter, on the double income-tax.