BONAR LAW'S RESIGNATION

A political crists of the first magnitude has been caused by the retirement of Bonar Law from the British Cabinet. This leader of the House of Commons was the life and soul of the conservative element in the Coalition. His withdrawal from what the Premier calls the "fighting line" follows on a series of disquieting portents. First there was the dramatic decision of Lord Robert Cecil to join the Opposition in protest against the government's policies. Then came the resignation of General Crozier in Ireland, and finally Lloyd George's own secretary withdrew his services. These events, together with the recent anti-Coalition results in some of the elections, have naturally left the Coalition government materially weakened.

Against the possibility of the disintegration of the Coalition and a subsequent general election are several elements. One of them is the simple fact that Bonar Law's illness is real and not simulated. The strain of the leadership of the House has proved too much for his impaired health. Again, the general opinion is that the Unionists do not desire a three-cornered election in which the Labor party would have a large chance of winning. A third element is that the Conservatives are willing to allow Lloyd George to struggle along with the Irish question since they have no better solution of the problem. From all angles it appears that no party is ready for a political debacle in England at he present time except the Labor Party.

Although many indications tend to reveal the fact that the Lloyd George government is becoming unpopular and must be soon reconstructed, still the Premier retains his great majority in the House and will continue to do so for sometime to come, even it all the elements of the Opposition unite against him. The belief that the Coalition is built on political sand seems without foundation. Under the leadership of the Welsh wizard there is little doubt that the present government will be sustained in its policy and that England will not be thrown into the troubled waters of a general election.