NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE suspense, and, let us add, the uneasiness, created by the resignations announced eight days ago still continue. It is generally understood that Mr. Austen Chamberlain is to succeed Mr. Ritchie at the Exchequer, but no appointments have been officially announced, and it is evident that Mr. Balfour is experiencing considerable difficulty in reconstruct- ing his Cabinet. That Lord Milner has been invited to join the Administration seems beyond doubt, but as the special messenger despatched to Carlsbad returned on Wednesday night, and no announcement has been made, his acceptance of office seems problematical. For the rest, a rumour has been current that the real hitch has arisen over the War Office, the theory being that the King has strongly urged the adoption of Lord Rosebery's suggestion, and that Mr. Balfour on his side is loth to sacrifice any of his colleagues. On the Coustitutional and other points raised by this situation we comment in another column. It is enough to say here that every day the crisis is prolonged impairs the confidence of the country in the Administration.
