On Monday in the Commons Mr. Asquith made the moat
dramatic announcements of the whole crisis. Ho stated (1) that Colonel Seely bad resigned his position as Secretary for War and had retired from the Cabinet; (2) that he (Mr. Asquith) would become Secretary for War, and for that purpose would seek re-election; (3) that Sir John French and Sir J. S. Ewart adhered to their resignations. Colonel Seely ;weeded that there was really no difference between him and his former colleagues in the Cabinet on any policy or principle, but he admitted that the Memorandum given to General Gough, and initialled by him and Sir John French and Sir J. S. Ewart, certainly seemed to admit what had not been intended—the principle of qualified service to the Crown. In these "peculiar, and indeed ironic, circumstances" Sir John French and Sir J. S. Ewart had felt bound to resign. Mr. Boner Law pointed out the inconvenience which would be caused by Mr. Asquith's absence. Mr. Asquith replied that he had already made his speech on the second reading of the Home Rule Bill, and would be close at Land. He had taken his decision only in deference to a "great public duty." He then left the House amid an enthusiastic demonstration by his supporters.
