Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-22
ELECTIONS
Campaign is On in Earnest for New
Parliament.
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR TEE issue
Generally Conceded That the Con-
seryatives Will Win.
FOREIGN NEWS AND GOSSIP

LONDON, September 22-The political
campaign has commenced In earnest. Only
another week remains before the polling be-
gins, and it will be only a little over five
weeks before the new parliament assemblies.
That 1t will be a conservative body is
foregone conclusion Mr.. Herbert Gladstone
admits that 1t is quite impossible for the
liberals to win over the 100 seats necessary
to give them victory. Thus, from the out
set the election loses its interest practically
resolving itself into an opportunity for poll
ticans on both sides to air their views and
to discuss the momentous issues of the last
year, untrammeled by the conventionalities
of st. Stephens. This outbreak Of Oratory,
judged from the initial stages, promises to
develop no new or startling facts.
The conservatives eonfine their energies
to defense Of the war In South Africa and
of it's management, while the liberals at
tempt to ignore 1T, concentrating their at
lacks upon the failure of the conservatives
to fulfill the promises Of beneficial home
legislation. Though this Is officially the lib
erals main plank. the division of their
ranks over the war is so great that 1t Is
quite impossible to keep all the candidates
in line. Thus, while Sir Edward Grey and
the Right Hon. H. H. Asquth and others
are telling the voters that it is useless to
discuss the war, and are admitting that the
annexation of the Boer republics Is the only
logical outcome. Mr.. Morley and other WELL
known members of the party are telling
them that the war was unnecessary, and
that the annexation of the republics is
blot upon Englands fair name
Salisbury Charged With Unfairness.
On one point however, the liberals all
unite; and that point is the unfairness of
Lord Salisbury in bringing about dissolu-
| ton at the present moment, when the reg
iSfa pf iS a
who were not registered over two years
ago are disenfranchised. The new register
comes into force in February. Thousands
are affected; and the liberals maintain that
Lord Salisbury's action Is not only without
precedent but is unconstitutional. On the
other hand, the conservatives claim that
Lord Salisbury acted fairly, as, had he
waited until after February, he would have
the undOubted advantage Of the votes of
soldiers returning from South Africa. In
their wrath that the election was precip-
itated with so little warning the liberals are
not alone. Business men, regardless of
party. are furious over the disintegration Of
trade which always accompanies election
contests. Publishers, for instance, after a
wretched year, seeing the war in South
Africa ending. and affairs In China becom-
ing more quiescent, made all preparations
for a revival of trade. Just as they were
beginning to put new books out the an
nouncement Of the dissolution Of parliament
came like thunderciap. spelling all their
grounds. has got a great grievance against
Lord Salisbury, as 1t will be well into De-
cember before the public can be expected
to take a keen interest in stocks.
The Question of Home Rule.
The question of home rule. except in Ire
land, is scarcely mentioned. Mr.. Herbert
Gladstone, who represents West Leeds. ad-
vises his constituents to let the matter rest,
but the Earl Of Sandwich strikes much
franker note in renouncing his adherence to
the government and returning to the ranks
of the liberals because home rule is dead"
A miniature bomb has been thrown into
the conservative camp by the liberal Morn
ing Leader, which publishes long story
showing that the wife. sons and daughter
of Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, the secretary
of state for the colonies hold almost all the
shares Of the firm OF Hoskins Sons. con-
tractors to the admiralty. Among the sons
holding large amounts Of the stock Is Mr..
]. Austin Chamberlain, the eldest son Of the
secretary, who Is civil lord OF the ad-
mralty. To put worse complexion on the
matter, it Is pointed out that there are no
Hoskins now connected with the business.
which is practically q family concern and
apparently prosperous. The only answer so
far vOuehsafed to the accusations Is a let
ter from Mr.. Chamberlain's secretary say
ing the minister Is not disposed to notice
the cOwardly inSinuattOn contained In an
indirect charge.
Rumor assigns the war ministry to Mr..
Chamberlain in the new cabinet, the suppo-
sition being that the Marquis OF Lansdowne
will retire, and also that Mr.. Chamberlain
will then have Lord Roberts as commander
in-chief and Lord Kitchener as adjutant
general. Earl Halsbury. the lord high
chancellor; Earl Cadogan. the lord lieuten-
ant Of ireland; Viscount Cross the lord
privy seal. and Mr.. William Court Gully,
the speaker OF the house OF commons are
all said to be likely to retire.
Two Baggage Systems Compared.
The controversy on the relative merits of
the British and American baggage systems
has been revived by the complaints of
transatlantic visitors who have lost trunks
in England. These. in turn. have called
forth protests against the adoption of the
check system. An Engiishman who has
visited America writes to the Pail Mall
Gazette giving details Of the troubles which
he experienced through the loss of his
checks, the delay and the alleged impossi-
bility of obtaining compensation. declaring
the Americans tolerate any system. how
ever complicated. SO long as 1t has the
appearance OF being businesslike. Most of
the detraCtcy1 Of the check system miss .