The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-07-29
London in the ThrOes Of a Pc.
liticaI Revolution.
THIRD PARTY TO BE FORMED
VIII Lady Churchill SpurH the Pebelan Name
Of Mrs. wsstl-wslsh Coal Sup
ply Diminishing -PrOmIuent
Americans Ia London.

LONDON. July 2s.--Almost as re-
markable as the break down OF long
established social customs before the
tropical wave is the break up Of the
liberal party. Were general election
far distant. the condition Of the liberal
party would be serious, but In view
Of the fact that the country Is face
to face with dissolution. the situation
Of the opposition seems hopeless. The
formation Of third party Is generally
considered almost inevitable as the re-
suit Of the internal dissensions now
raging In the liberal ranks.
The imperialists have thrown of the
mask and demanded control Of the par
ty. maintaining that both by numbers
ard influence they are entitled to die
tate its policy. In this they are op-
posed by the forwards" or "anti-im-
perialist liberals, with vigor and Bit
terness that can only be compared TO
the acerbity with which the Gladston-
ians assailed the liberal unionlsts when
home rule brought the parting Of the
ways.
The climax OF the strife that has been
simmering since the commencement OF
the Boer war came Wednesday when
one-tfird Of the liberal party voted to
condemn the colonial secretary. JOS
eph Chamberlain. and all his works.
One-third voted with the government
to sustain him. while the smallest sec
tlon Of all. including the nominal Lead
er. abstained from voting at all.
1t is. scarcely surprising that Sir Hen
~ Campbell -Bannerman should be anx-
ious to throw up his thankIess task.
but that only representsa a minor feature
Of this grave situation. One OF the,
liberal whips William Alexander Me-
Arthur. member for Leicester, has
openly thrown of allegiance by voting
with the government. an almost un-
precedented action on the part OF one
holding such a position Herbert
Gladstone. the chief whip, is on the
point of resigning to show disgust with
what he believes to be the disloyalty
of Sir Edward Grey and Others who
follow him.
Meanwhile the imperialist section has
demanded that Sir Edward Grey as
sumo the leadership. which would be
another way Of bringing Lord Rosebery
back into active political life. Such
development would never be swal-
lowed by John Morely. Secretary Will
fred Lawson, Henry Labouchere, Leon
ard Courtney and their followers.
Campbell -Bannerman's consent un-
der pressure, to temporarily retain the
leadership Is but slim guarantee OF
peace within the liberal ranks, for up
on any repetition Of Wednesdays scene,
he will promptly resign. II is impos-
sible to see how such repetition can
BE- avoided and so another secession
from the liberal ranks. equal in gravity
to the split Of 1886. may be confidently
expected
The government is considering the ap-
polntment Of a royal commission on the
question Of the future OF the naval coal
supply. This action is greatly due to
the increasing production and cheapness
of American coal and the diminishing
supply of Welsh steam coal, with
which warships are furnished.
Four members Of the ways and means
committee of the United States house
of representatives were in Lon
don this week, namely: Chair
man Serene Payne and Congressman
Charles H. Grosvenor. Of Ohio; G. W.
Steele. of Indiana. and John Daizell, OF
Pennsylvania. All Of these gentlemen
came in search Of recreation. General
Grosvenor will return to the United
States August 12, in time to be present
at the firing of the opening gun in the
presidential campaign at Lewiston,
Maine. Messrs. Payne, Steele and Dali
zell have gone on trip through the
country They are now at Oxford.
They viii make the tour Of Ireland
before returning to the United States
August 25.
OF the host Of other American nota-
bles recently arrived may be mentions
ed George ]. Gould, OF New York;
Charles t. Yerkes. Of Chicago; and
Archbishop corrigan. Of New York.
The latter. with Cardinal Vaughn. was
welcomed by the Duke Of Norfolk back
to England
Anticipations Of the West Churchill
wedding have formed one Of the chief
topics in society this week. Quite a
burning question is whether Lady
Randolph Churchill VIII retain that
name or be known as Mrs. West. It
appears that everywhere except at the
court she may retain her present name,
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