New-York tribune., 1900-08-19
MEN IN PARLIAMENT
CLOSING SCENES OF A DULL SESSION
The LIBERAL LEADER. THE
GREATEST nIPERIALIST
AND A VETERAN.
AND A VETERAN.
London, August 4.

servers have been wideawake # they have been
apie to keep abreast with it. Debates in Parlia-
ment have not been read. The men of action
VINO have been fighting the battles OF the en-
pre- have held the field at home and abroad
Inc trend OF events in the direction OF Imperial
RECREATION, r as illustrated by colonial contin-
gents IN service In South Africa and by confed-
erauon IN Australia, has been more significant
Inan the fortunes OF parties, the intrigues of
Iacuons and the byplay and pIeasantries Of
westminster. The impending struggle between
the stagnant conservatism OF China and the
progressive impulses and enlightened self-in-
terest OF the maritime Powers has impressed
every rejecting mind as a fact of overshadow-
ing Importance fraught with momentous conse-
qCences The details of money grants and
domestic legislation have passed without OBJ
serVation when the whole world seemed to be
in motion outside. The daily drone Of debate
has gone on. and the members Of the best club
N London have cracked their jokes and ex-
changed their ironical compliments; but what
has been said or done at Westminster has been
Ike the wind in q chimney pot
DIsCREDITED BUT INDISPENSABLE.
What public interest there has been in this
session Of Parliament-probably the closing one
ne1ore an appeal TO the general electorate-has
centred il a few men who from one cause or
another have been thrust into positions where
they do not belong. One OF these is the Liberal
leader, Sir Henry pbeII-Bannerman, who
has been endeavoring with easygoing optimism
70 direct the fortunes of faction rent party. If
ne has failed TO unite the factions and to excite
the enthusiasm requisite for the impending
electoral canvass he has also succeeded in rem
der1ng himself indispensable as the leader Of the
cemoralized Opposition Never was there q
leader more utterly discredited than he was in
d5zyfe
when his party was equally represented in both
lobbies and q third fraction followed his ex-
ample in abstaining from voting: and the situ-
anon became ludicrous when il was known that
Mr. Macarthur. one OF the whips, was disobeying
his orders; that Mr. Perks was heading an in
trigue against him, and that his own colleagues
On the front bench, with the exception Of AIr.
Asquith were acting in opposition to his wishes
while processing loyalty 10 him. The natural
sequel TO anomalous a scene would have been
the resignation OF the leadership, but this was
rendered impracticable by the divisions which
had been disclosed. A faction rent party must
have an amiable and flexible hgurehead and
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman having once
been selected cannot be displaced.
The Liberal party in Parliament is divided
into two factions which distrust and dislike each
other with deeper prejudice than they regard
the common enemy on the opposite side Of the
House. There is the Liberal Imperialist group
which is seeking TO bring about Lord Rosebery's
return 10 the leadership OF the party. Mr.. As
quith would be its natural leader in the Com
mons. and he is. after Sir William Harcourt, the
best speaker on the Opposition side and almost
the only one capable Of meeting Mr. Chamber
lain in debate. Sir Edward Grey is one OF the
eminent men in this group; Sir Henry Fowler is
probably In sympathy with IT. although he is
too discreet TO display his preferences; Nj Hal
dane is stage manager behind the scenes, and
Mr. Perks IS man-of-aH-work.
RADICALS BITTERLY EsTRANGED.
Bitterly estranged from these Liberal I'm
perialists are the Radicals who dislike Lord
Rosebery and consider him more dangerous
and obnoxious opponent than Lord Salisbury
anybody on the Unionist side. This group
has been strenuously opposed to the war in
South Africa. It's natural leader would be AIr
Morley. but since he disclaiIns political respon-
sibility and is now chiefly interested in literary
work, II is content 10 follow Sir Robert Reid
Mr.. Labouchere and other guerilla fighters.
Sir William Harcourt, owing 10 failing health
and the increasing burdens OF years, has ceased
to attend the sessions regularly. and his in
fuence has been impaired Mr.. Bryce, Mr.. Her
bert Gladstone and Sir Henry Fowler maintain
neutrality between factions and stand for old
fashioned principles Of Liberalism.
counterpIot. feud and conspiracy on the Liberal
side. because the feeling between factions is
bitterly hostile, and because also the success Of
the Uniorists is a foregone conclusion. Sir
Henry Camp -Banne-man may find his po-
sition intolerabIe, but both factions viii unite
il insisting upon his retaining it and will read
ily convince him that the substitution Of any
other leader would involve the disruption Of the
party. He does not belong where he is, but he
cannot retire The good natured compromise
candidate, who cannot enforce discipline and
obedience nor inspire enthusiasm, is indis-
pensabIe. Mr. Asquith would be a more ef-
fective leader in the Commons. for ne knows
his mind and can stand out against Mr.. Cham
berlain, hut he is so closely identified with Lord
Rosebery and is so convinced Inperialst
that the Radical uaalcontents would not follow
him. The same objections hold against Sir Ed
ward Grey Sir Henry Fowler and Mr. Herbert
Gladstone are neutrals who would be available
in an emergency. but neither is anxious TO un-
dertake the responsibilities of leadership Of a
hopeIessly divided party. in which one group Is
constantly intriguing against another
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN's AsCENDENCY-
On the Unionist side Mr. Chamberlain has the
strongest will and the most commanding
intelligence. He Is not the leader, out so
great is the ascendency Of his debating
powers and political capacity that he Is OUT
OF place n any subordinate rank The
facility with which he entrapped the Liberals
into a recent division on the South African war
and completed their Generalization was proof
Of his cleverness as tactician, if any demon
stration OF The kind were needed; and the sound
judgment with which he has remained IN re-
tirement since the opening Of the war in South
Africa and devoted himself to issues Of I'M
periaIisrn, such as Australian confederation. has