MR. ASQUITH AND HIS PARTY, DEFAILED STORY OF THE CBISIS AN. ARTICLE IN THE TIMES” Mr. Asquith explained the reasons for His resignation at a meeting of Liberal members of both Houses of Parliament held at the Reform Club. He said:---
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 1917.
before going into what happened subse gently, that the more I refco apon the matter the more I remain of that opinion. I shall be very surprised if any Prime Minister attempts to govern, this country without sitting on the War Committee.
TWO POINTS OF DIFFERINCE.
THINGS THAT WERE ONCE
MEN
UNCLAIMED
TELEGRAME.
That is the construction. As I my I have not the least idea was was 76 sponsible for a breach of confidence which undoubtedly must have occurred somewhere. (Cheers.) I make no im- OFFICER'S VIVID STORY OF WAR Templ putation and cast no refection. When
REALITIES. metal read that, which was one of a numbet of similar comments, I saw at once the construction which must be put, not only by critics but by friends upon a pro- goal of the kind, even though it wore safeguarded in the manner which I have suggested. I wrote at once, and this la the letter, and I only read it because of the charges which have been made against me which I cannot otherwise deal with :-
The following in an extract from letter written by a young offer on the Western front. It breathes the spirit of the battlefeld. He says
Chudationchan Tianjnam 81 C
Tew York Chop Se Kan, Mölle.
Ahogy Market Brevet Kuala Lumpar Herwyow Shop, – Banking
aizdomas, eje Fiɛbhwattan Mans day Nadies Steamer Telen..
Looking back, see mightmure of seven days pushing, and seen to see again four days and nights in a filthy bell hole, & constant hail of bells never Such productions as the first leading ceasing, constant streams of prisoners, article in The Times of to-day, show pack-mules and troops, bombing stunts and tanks, but, above all, mud, rain, ing the infinite possibilities of misun-shells, and things that were once men. derstanding and misrepresentation of There is nothing romantic about war: such an arrangement ae wo considerad yesterday, make me at least doubtful'a ghastly business Have revor întreaga as to its feasibility. Unless the impres my wildest dreams imagined such a sight Macerain road running along the sion is at once corrected that I am
banks of a now famous river, and the being relegated to the position of an irresponsible spectator of the way I work that went on along that road; how the trenches were filled in and the road cannot possibly go on. (Cheers.)
jebuilt almost within a few hours of the Then I added this
sweep foresd..
Jour Fat Blug, Wing Lok Bt. Bings po
ema
The following in a listel malaimo lying in the Brons Northern Company's olla at Hongkong reme
oilse, Lan
Mr. Yong and Su, Long Sang,
Lane Co Vorobieff, Cenaclat Imperial
Bads
Amoy
Tian Fuck, Shoe Shop,
Wanabal
Shang bal abalo, Chin & han Png Shanghai Foskidubenjire, Mitral Banen Bagahian
The suggested arrangement was to
#ÁTCHING A SISTER PUIN. the following effect-I used the word *wna," and then I put in the various
Imagine, too, what it is actually to items which I read to you a moment watch a mister-push going on
on the ago:-"The Prime Minister to have heights over the other side of the river. | Henght supreme and effective control of war Woods and rows of trees that are now | Kwanghing policy. The agenda of the War Com just stumps, never a branch for miles. Shandanshing mittee will be submitted to him; the Miles of country so ploughed by shells Blog Kow Chairman will report to him daily that it looks like nothing so much as a he can direct it to consider particular very rough es suddenly petrified or topics or proposals; and all its conclu- turned into clay and mud-artillery fire sions will be subject to his approval of intense that it merges into a steady veto. He can, of course, at his own roar, in which individual guns cannot discretion; attend meetings of the Combe distinguished. This last is our artil mittee."!
Flary's of course the Huns can and do put up a mighty uncomfortable barrago, but nothing as compared to the hell that our guns loose on the Boche. aren't quite finished with it all yet se I'm junior sub. I expect I'll have to (but I'm not certain). In a deserted take up working parties for a few days village, just behind, since last night, with a loaf, u fire, and a gramopohone.
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That suggestion of mine did not com mend itself to Mr. Lloyd George, as I gather I did not see him and on the Bunday the first communication having taken place on the Friday, I came up My lords and gentlemen, --I invited yon from the country and was informed that to meet me here, I believe it is now very meeting of my Unionist colleagues had been held that morning under the mearly nine years since we last had a
presidency of Mr. Bonar Lay, that they party meeting, and that was on the regarded the situation as a very serious oceation of my succeeding my everone, that there was no doubt in their opinion-I am quoting from a written lamented predecessor, Sir Henry Camp amunication which they made subse bell-Bannerman, in the headship of the quently that, a change must be made, Government, and, enbject to your rati- and in their opinion the publicity given to the intentions of Mr. Lloyd George Bention, in the leadership of the Liberal made reconstruction from within no Earty. I think it says something for our longer possible. My Unionist colleagues therefore urged that I should at once relations with one another that during tender my resignation, and intimated the best part af nine years we have never that, if I did not, they would feel then- had occasion for another party meeting, selves obliged to tender theirs. I asked them, through Mr. Bonar Law, to pause There has been, I believe, during the before taking so grave a stop until I whole of that time a practically un-had had some further communication broken harmony between myself, as the with Mr. Lloyd George, whom I saw
later in the day. leader, and you, my colleagues and the rank and file of the party. We have
I was most anxious, and I am not st been through very troublous times. We all ashamed to confess it to you, though have been engaged in great political some people think it is a sign of weak- enterprises; sometimes we have succeeded nose, to avoid a break-up of the Govern
I regarded as a national and sometimes we have not achieved, at meat au rate, complete success. We have calamity, though I hope all will be for naturally anxious, bden animated by the same spirit, we the best, I was have pursued the same purposes, we have having for 2 years done everything m been united one to the other, and all with By power to preserve the substantial
That, I said, was what I suggested a doyalty and a spirit of co-operation unity of the nation, that the Govern That letter is treated na being a written which I do not think has ever beenment should continue, if it were po-confirmation of the arrangement already cayended in the political history of this sible, in an honourable alliance, say verbally entered into the letter in country. I thank you moet heartily. I at once I feel sure that Mr. Lloyd George which I start by saying that the infinite call and no words adequately to expressantion, in which we tried to see if it misrepresentation in this artisle made shares my opinion. We had a cover possibilities of misunderstanding and my gratitude.
were possible to accommodate our views. me at least doubtful us to its feasibility, Then why are we here to-day? (Cheers.) We were at issue on two points: the and that I could not possibly go on as en We are here to day because I felt it my first was the relation of the Primo irresponsible spectator of the war, as it "duty to resign, not the leadership of our Minister to the War Committee, and the
was proposed I should. To that Mr. party (cheers), though I am quite pre mond was the personnel of the War Lloyd George at once replied, saying pared to do that if I am asked, but I Committee hardly a less important that he had not seen The Times axkicie. We were served out with goat skin have been compelled to resign the bead point. I do not want to go into the will not rend his letter because it is costs when we came out of the line.
radiant morn," Woodward Hymns, 82 and 31 PETER ship of the Government. I should have names, A, B, C or D, but I was of private; it was written very con yesterday; mine's a beauty, and they are.-Emins 136, var-es 2, 3, 15, 26 mad 27 in been very glad if it had been possible, opinion (and I speak purposely in most identially, but he concluded by saying jolly warm things. You would have fen: Palm 137, verse and 7 in unison in a great national crisis like this, when general terms) that there were some that he accepted the suggested arrange-laughed to see me yesterday just a great Fealm 139, versed G. P. in ios. all our hearts and all our hopes, as I whether in the singular or in the pluralment, subject, of course, to personnel, "Believe, are steadily concentrated on the some persons whom he wished to ex- maintenance of national union and the clude who had better be induded, and effective prosecution of the war (cheers), some persons whom he wished to include to have said nothing at all about the who had better be, excluded. I leave it causes or circumstances which have led to at that. There was a strong and sharp my taking this, step. I am not as you difference of opinion between us. knov, very sensitive to criticism; perhaps throw out various suggestions, or per I am unduly insensitive to it; nor am Ihaps I should say he and I together the east afraid of the judgment which throw out various suggestions, to see if history will pass (choers) either upon
we could not solve the first question, what I have done or failed to do in con-
and the second we did not attempt to nection with this war, and I should have solve; and in the end they amounted to kept unbroken ailence if it had not been this, on which I am sure there is no that (I am sure without duthority--I am difference of opinion. I will read them. note making any imputation of that kind misleading and inaccurate accounts have been circulated with regard to the part which I have taken in those recent events which, I might almost say, if allowed to remain uncheckod, night scera to involve an unrebutted reflection upon my personal honour, and that was thing which I could not stand.
A WELL-ORGANIZED CONSPIRACY."
B
CONSULTATION WITH ODILRAGLES. When I had received that letter thought it right, the situation being so grave, to consider the whole matter very carefully and to take into council in its consideration some of my oldest and most valued colleagues and friends. That I acted under their premure or under the pressure of any of them in my final decision is absolutely untené, It was taken on my own authority and on my own authority alone; but I cannot con- coive that I was doing anything wrong in taking them into counal. In the end I wrote to Mr. Lloyd George that, after full consideration of the mattor, I had come to the conclusion that it was not possible for such a Committee to be made workable and effective without the Prime Minister ne ita chairman. With regard to that he and I were obviously not of
BLEEPLESS NIGHTS. ·
clod of mud and unwashed and un shaved for a week and just done four days and nights without a wilk of sleep Was sent here a few hours before the battalion as billeting offer; had a tor- rific rush round empty houses and barns, got everyone in by tm, this morning. and then to sleep; just realised, when everything had been finished, that I was absolutely "blotto,” or “ done up," It is a ane feeling if, and when, one has Anished and one can turn in. I turned in about 1'am, and didn't wake aguin intil nearly 18 noon.
I am woll and cheerful now--for one night it was otherwise. My company commander and I sitting on two petrol tins up to our waista in goo" (mud). back to back, a ground sheet over our heads, pouring rain, in a shell hole in front of the line, both as gluma Bairns father's best, Jolly funny now, but it wasn't at the time. Gad, I was never more miserable, but that's why its such joke now. Reaction of you like call it what you will
- FERR - HAND. FOR EX MINISTERE.
Jone'u CASIMIRAN, Hongkor, ith Sunday after Epiphany, saty, 1977. Holy Communion (7,60 min) Matian, Films, of the 28th mening: 10 Des (11am) Responses, Ferial; Yazilia, Hooper i Rumeli, Jan o Pyes Julante, Monk (4th morning); Hymas, 291 and 1/1, God Bove the Xing. Bredsong 5.45 p.m. Rompomson, Facial Praima, Parcell, Parrell and Formell Boss, Bastiahill (dik morning) Aldrich
(4th
Anthem morning);
The
62. PETAS'S CHURCH, West Point, Sun- day, 8th January-Holy Communion & am, Freyer and Bermon, 11 s.m, Prem Morning cher, Rev. W. I. Fantheratons.
Umor CHURCH, Krunedy Bend. Bunday, ga1h January, Sunday Berrioon.
Morning Jarvises at 11. · Hymns, 346, 543, 14 and 20. Froning barvice at 6 Hymns, 381, 291, 103, 238 and 371. Fresaker, Rev. J. Kisé
Miscomsakir.
Past CHURCH OF CHRIST BOHEN MARKE, MaDonnell Road Sunday, 11.36 am. Wednes day, 5.30 p.m.
THE
WISHING
CẤP.
If you haet the prospect of a settled income of five thousand pounds a year, you would, doubtless, be prepared to swear that you could be extremely happy It is tantalising, isn't it, that more of us cannot at least try the experiment for
year!
But 19 you
I and all the world know, money alone cannot bring com- plete happiness. Doubtless we should. be in agreement if we said that at least it would be helpful to that end. We are told by the sages, and
biggest and best asset in life. All the more reason then,
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SOLE AGENTS GUGIH H. BUTTONJER
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THE ARRANGEMENT PROPOSED. This arrangement was suggested:-
The Prime Minister to have supreme and effective control of war policy The agenda of the War Committee will be submitted to him; its chairman will report to him daily; he can direct it to consider particular topics or pro-one mind, and I could not possibly posals; and all its conclusions will be sent to these propositions, and, if the subject to his approval or veto. He Committee were to be reconstituted, It is impossible to isolate the events of
can, of course, at his own discretion thought it should be, upon a smaller the last wook from what was going on
attend meetings of the Committee, basis, I must choose the men to sit upon before. There has been a well-organized, carefully engineered conspiracy-not, I It is not correct, in my understanding, it with the single regard to their special believe, let me say at once, countenanced to say that anything in the nature of capacity for the conduct of the war. *in any quarter the Liberal Party, but an agreement was come to on those lines. That is what happened, and the more I
pressure it is a false and infamous why it should be fealously guarded. We elegant flavour is solely qua o directed against members of the Cabinet, On the contrary, the matter was left for reflect upon the matter the more I sat and directed, it is true, in part against further consideration, and I undertook convinced that my final conclusion was suggestion-upon my late colleagues who should all, therefore, grasp health with original fineness developed by soms of my late Unionist colleagues, but to make a written communication to him the right conclusion, having regard to are sitting here not to join the Govern both hands, as it is above and beyond
Obtainable from I say that because I eso the construction put, as I think not with ment. I hare done nothing of the kind-riches. For the every day ailmente which in the main, I think, against my noble the next day. friend Lord Grey and myself. He and it has been suggested that 1 drew back out plausibility on the suggestion with absolutely nothing of the kind. I have affect us all at one time or another there Merchants. I are the two men who are mainly ander outside pressure from an agree. regard to the Prime Minister, that said to them collectively, and I have said is nothing that will aid you better than This great responsible for the part which this coun
ment in those terms. That is not a fact, long as he remained Prime Minister, he to them individually," Exercise your Mother Beigel's Syrup. try took before the outbreak of the war, and, as you know, it is not a thing must have supreme authority as well as own judgment consider how you can stomach and liver tonic car and does help best serve them. If you think you can you to retain and regain health Nature and since then up to the present time. that I am at all likely to do. (Cheers.) supreme responsibility. It is very Both he and I from the first treated these That is what happened. I thought our disagreeable to me to have to go into serve them by going in, for God's sake as a general rule is not unkind to us pro- attacks with indifference so long as we the matter most carefully, and the next these matters, because I am as anxious go 10 if you can best serve them by viding we take note of the warnings she felt we could carry on our work, remain morning, when I took up my newspaper, es any man in this room, or this counremaining with me outside, stay outside. gives. The daily headache, if not arrest at cur posts, and do what we could for 1. saw this proposal that I should be try, that we should be united as I hope I do not quarrel with your judgment or ed, will surely lead to worse trouble; per- we are united in our desire to proscente attempt to exercise any pressure upon sure indication that all is not right with haps biliousness may follow, which is a the prosecution of the task which has excluded. It was the view of the newa
The proper acerpted us day and night now for two paper that the suggestion that the Prime the war by every possible effective means you one way or the other. Such a sug your digestive organs. and a half years in the interests of the Minister should be excluded from this to a successful end.
gestion shows to what a terrible depth thing, therefore, is to not at once and do the standards of public decency have: as thousands have done take a course of Committee was perfectly well known, cogatry.
and it was being commented upon. Now
fallen. (Loud, cheers,) Whatever have Mother Beigel's Syrup and thereafter Those attacks were grounded upon how was it being commented upon
I have been asked, and it is a perfect- been my faults and shortcomings, and no keep it in your home as your family somt alleged slackness want of energy, will just read. Might I say again that by fair question for you to put to me, one in more conscious of them than I remedy.
Petimes even alleged want of heart, Mr. Lloyd George assured me that he why I did not agree to act in a sub at any rates I have been Prime Minister
"I think you will be interested to learn in the prosecution of the war. I am had no responsibility of any kind in ordinate capacity. My own inclination of this country for the best part of what Mother Seigel's Syrup har done not aware of any foundation for those connection with this production, and of
was strongly against any such, & course, nine years, and have now for two-and-a for me. I don't think that anyone could charges. We have during the last year course I entirely accept his assurance, and again I consulted my friends and half years been engaged day by day possibly have suffered more keenly from ir face, more than a year--had a War but the fact remains that the thing was colleagues and they were unanimou in under a strain and stress of labour and the pains of Indigestion: than I have Committee of the Cabinet composed of own. (Cheers)*
advising me not to do so. I need not anxiety, and lately under the burden during a long period of my life. Right very able men, which has won charged This is how it was commented upos: tell you that they did not put it on any of heavy domestic sorrow, which no one from a young woman I had been a victim with the main responsibility for the con
ground of amour propre at all, or who has not borne it can even conceive. I to this complaint until twelve years ago, duct of the war. I believe that Com-
wounded pride, or anything of the sort am speaking to friends here, and I say when through Mother Beigel's Byzup mittes to have been a very efficient instru
No such consideration operated or could it is almost unbelievable that anyone completely banished it. As I am now ment, and I think it has done invaluable
cperate, I thought myself, and they should venture to suggest that I am nearing 70 years of age you will we that work; but experience showed (and I
ever have been try. I was in its grip for nearly 40 years. pointed out, and I am certain it is true, trying or think there is
difference of
to exercise pressure to reThree bottles of your remedymade me a that if I were to come into the new ing, opinion whatever between me and any
and my patriotic public new woman, when I had got into a very Government (which I wish from the strain of my late colleagues on this point)
bottom of my heart, without any kind of spirited colleagues from doing their fair low state through not only being unable that, excellent as was the work done by
affectation or reserve, the most complete share in the work of the State and the the Committee, ita efficiency.might be
I cannot describe success in whatever capacity you like, conduct of the war, increased if it were possible to reduce its
but not as the head of the Government, to you in adequate terme how strongly I numbers and to multiply the frequency
these attacks would continue. If any feel that it is the duty of all of us at of its sittings.
thing went wrong it would be said "h. this time to avoid anything in the nature of recrimination. If there have been there is the old paralysing touch there.**. (Cheers.) You have not made a clean misunderstandings, leg bury them. job of the matter. Why do you not re-Whatever differences of opinion we may move the tains and the cancer which has been so fatal to the effective prosecution of the war in the past?" And my sh fortunate new colleagues would in a very short time have found themselves con
no
ME. LLOYD GEORGE'S PROPOSAL.
I have discussed this with one or an- other of my colleagues a good many times during the past few weeks. It was, I think, a week ago to-day, last Friday, that my friend Mr. Lloyd George brought re & specific proposal-the matter had been generally considered- that the War Committee should consist of three members, one of the three being chsirman... The Prime Minister was not to be a member of the Committee. The Committee was to take full power, sub- Jest to the supreme control of the Prime Minister, to direct any question con- nested with the war. I considered that proposal, and, having done so, I replied on the same day (I am not going to read the latter) that, haring considered it— and I gave varionn reasons—in
my opinion, whatever changes were made in the constitution or functions of the Commitdes, the Prime Minister inust be ity chairman. (Cheers) I may at once,
I
AN ARTICLE. IN "THE TINES. “* The gist of his proposal [Mr. Lloyd George's] is understood to be the es tablishment forthwith of a small War Council, fully charged with the sup- reme direction of the war. Of this Council Mr. Asquith himself is not to he a member the assumption, being that the Prime Minister has sufficient eares of a more general character with out devoting himself wholly, as the new Council must be devoted if it is to be effective, to the daily task of organizing victory. Certain of Mr. Asquith's colleagues are also excluded on the ground of temperament from a body which can only coed if it is harmonious and decisive.
On the top of all this comes the official announcement that the Prime Minister had
HELP FOR THE NEW GOVERNHERT,
fronted with the necessity either of get
|
have either as to the past or as to the future, let us give each and all the credit, as I do without any reservation, for the best motives and the most single- minded desire to serve the country and
carry on the war, and let us, above all, decided. upon reconstruction,
It means, we assume, that he ting rid of me altogether or being each of as do whatever he can, whether consents in principle to Mr. Lloyd themselves tarred with the same terrible by speech or by action, by hearty o
brush. I really do not think, and my operation' to facilitate the task which George's proposals. The conversion has colleagues did not think, that I could is before the country now. That is my been swift, but Mr. Asquith has never as effectually serve the new Government, hope, that is my desire, that is my in- been slow to note political tendencies when they become inevitable. The and what is still more important, the tention, and I trust it is yours. testimony of his closest supporters interests of the State, as a member (Cheers.)
must have convinced him by of it as I could outside, and outside I am remaining with the sole object I do this time that matters cannot possibly not know that I need assure you of this go on as at present. They must have of lending such help as I can with all convinced him, too, that his own
my heart and with all such strength as qualities are fitted better to mains to me in order to assist them in
preserve the unity of the nation (though we have never dubbted its the great task which lies before us
(Cheers.) unity) than to force the pace of a War Council."
(Continued at font of next Column)
The following resolution vas carried: Thee this meeting records ita thanks font services to the nation, its unabated to Mr. Asquith for his long and magni- oonfidence in him as leader of the
Liberal Party, and its determination to give support to the King's Government engaged in the effective prosecution of the war
to take food, but also through fear of the consequences of pains that would follow if I did. To-day my health and Cripps, Well Cottage, Longridge, petite are both exmilent."--Mary A Stroud, Glos, July 12th, 1916.
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