The age-herald., 1900-03-26
PARLIAMENT MAY
 BE DISSOLVED Question is Involving Much Spec
 uIation and Rife. THE WAR STILL DRAGS ON If 1t Continues Through the Summer Lord Salisbury Will Remain in Power Until the Last Mo
 ment Allowed Him
THE WAR STILL DRAGS ON

ment Allowed Him
 London, March 25.-Three questions fn- voving endless controversy and specula- tion have been rife during the week. They are the possibility of the dissolution or parliament in the summer, imperial federa- tion and the method of treatment of the so-called rebel prisoners in South Africa So far as parliament is concerned 1t might as well dissolve at once for all the interest that is being taken in its proceedings Many apparently inspired articles appear fore casting dissolution at various dates, but as a matter of fact, the exercise of the present house depend entirely upon the progress of British arms in South Africa. If they meet with quick success there will be, 1t is thought, an early dissolution.
 If the war drags on Lord Salisbury will retain power till the last moment allowed by the British constitution. With less than year in which to go to the country, 1t Is only natural that the government will seize the most opportune moment but no mem Der of the cabinet believes that such moment has yet come within the limits of reasonable determination, in spite of the fact that the commander in chief of the forces, Lord Wolseley is credited with prophesying that Lord Roberts will be in Pretoria May 15.
 If the forecast of the almost forgotten chief commander of the British army should prove correct it would not be at all unlikely that Lord Salisbury may appeal to the electors in June. But several of the cabinet ministers have small hope that the war will be over before the fall of this year.
 Futile to Prophecy
 With such a diversion of opinion pre- vaillng in the best informed circles regard ing the duration of the conflict it Is evil dently futile to prophecy regarding the tenure of the present government. The latter is obviously dependent upon the for mer. Lord Salisbury has not any inten- tion of appealing to the voters until the British arms triumph in South Africa and no one of any importance has yet been brave enough to declare over his own name when such an event Is likely to be accom- plished
 When the general election comes it can scarcely fail to return the present admin istration to power unless between this time and that period some miracle effects the cohesion of the disntegrated liberal party. So distinguished does this party appear to be that Sir Edward Grey, the shining light of the Rosebery faction, found 1t necessary this week. when speaking at the city lib- eral club, of London, to protest that inter- nal dissension was no just cause for the death of the basic liberal principals.
 It is a curious travesty upon truth that imperial federation and the formation of some great council of the empire have been more brought to public notice by Sir Will frid Laurier, the Canadian premier, in his speech at Ottawa than even by the ap- pearance in London of the federation del- egates from Australia. Punchs chief car toon this week is devoted to depicting Sir Wilfr1d Laurier In pleasing contrast with Sir Wdlfrid Lawson, the English liberal who insists that the war is not justified. Yet those who know the under currents thor oughly are aware that the Canadian troops caused the colonial office more anxiety than almost any recent occurrence. How ever the imperial federation movement grows daily. The imperial federation com- mittee has secured from Lord Salisbury a promise lO stTlOuSly COLSlu6T ilS pIOpOSdlS from an imperial council to watch over the interests of the empire as a whole On all sides articles appear debating the ways and means by which the colonies who have par ticipated in the defense of the empire may have voice in its councils.
 Duke of York to Visit Colonies
 It Is reported that the Duke of York meditates paying complimentary visits af- ter the war to all the great colonies.
 The question of the colonial prisoners, from being the subject of cable messages exchanged between Lord Salisbury and President Kruger, has sprung into general discussion. In this connection it is under stood that President Kruger set the ball rolling by commanding that colonial in- surgents and British subjects commanded by the Boers should, when captured, be treated as prisoners of war, or else repri- sals would be taken on the British prison CTS at Pretoria. Lord Salisbury replied, saying he would deal with the rebels as seemed fit, and would hold President Kru- ger personally responsible for the treat ment of the Pretoria prisoners, whereupon President Kruger is reported to have re- joined that he would hold Lord Salisbury personally responsible for the rebels, or some thing of that nature. But on all sides it is being discussed what should be done with the insurgents captured by the Brit ish.
 The predominating feeling seems to favor the policy of leniency now being carried out under Lord Roberts direction, in spite of the fact that both through cable dis patches from South Africa and letters from English readers in the newspapers there has been bitter outcry against allowing the insurgents to go scot free.
 (avendish is Pickle
 MT. Harry Cavendish. a nephew of the Duke of Devonshire and a well-known ex- plorer, who was formerly so devoted to Edna May, the American actress, has fall en a victim of fair-haired girl of the stage who is under 10 years of age. She is Nina Sevieng, and took a small part in theatricals. The girls parents, though 1,a1 ,r1a al 1a4.