The Premiership

Resignation. So Andrew Bonar Law did not go on a very long sea voyage. Instead, he crossed the Channel and stayed in Paris, where his health became worse--so bad, indeed, that his doctor insisted upon his returning to England. Now, after a protracted period of procrastination, he has resigned the Premiership, being physically unable to continue in that responsible position.

Bonar Law found it impossible to present his resignation personally. Instead, he sent his son-in-law, Sir Frederick Sykes, to the Royal Pavilion at Aldershot, where the King was reviewing his troops, with a letter explaining the circumstances which forced him to resign at such a time. The King accepted his resignation.

Bonar Law, like President Harding, was elected to office because he is a conservative and therefore could be trusted to administer the country in a quiet, calm and dignified manner, without rushing into new and dangerous legislation. Bonar Law's term of office is conspicuous for its lack of enterprise. Nothing important, excepting the Baldwin Budget, was accomplished. He was content to keep Britain out of the Ruhr, to let trade take its own course, to keep out of foreign politics as much as possible. He cannot claim any credit for the agreement with Washington on the British debt; that was decided upon by Lloyd George. He tried to reduce unemployment by common-sense methods, but even this can only be termed a partial success. In short his policy, if he ever had one, was ultra-conservative.

Successor. When Bonar Law resigned, the King, owing to the Whitsuntide recess, had to find someone to fill the vacancy on his own responsibility.

At the time of going to press there were five principal possibilities:

Lord Curzon, Foreign Minister, the favorite candidate in the Conservative party; although it was realized that his appointment would not be popular with labor or with foreign countries.

Stanley Baldwin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, shrewd and tactful business man, but without any persional magnetism.

Austen, Chamberlain, ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer. Despite his break with the Conservative party, moves were made to bring him back as its leader.

Lord Derby, Minister of War, Francophile, was supported by pro-Entente conservatives. He could do more toward strengthening relations between France and Britain than any other man.

Lord Balfour, veteran statesman and a former Prime Minister, was also mentioned by his Conservative admirers.