The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-16
1T SETTLES NOTHING.
James Bryce's Views on the English
Election.

New York. Oct ia dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
Mr. James Bryce says that the disco
luton of the British parliament was
quite without precedent and quite op-
posed to the spirit and usage Of the
British constitution The law fixes the
duration Of parliament and established
usage has settled that parliament ought
not TO be dissolved Drematurely save
to take the opinion of the country upon
some definite issue, usually when a bin
has been rejected or the ministry cen
sured. To spring dissolution. especially
upon a. stale register. for the sake of
party advantage is a new departure and
a very bad one here. There has been
really no issue before the country. be-
cause the war is over and annexation
IS accom- pliShed. Consequently this gen
eFaI election settles nothing and out
lines no future policy. foreign or do
nestle. No one has the least idea what
the ministry viii now do Perhaps
they don't know themselves.
Mr.. Bryce is not disheartened by the
results Of the elections He Maintains
that too much discoura cement is ex-
pressed regarding the position of the
Liberal party. He says;
Considering the difficulties under
which 1t had to fight this election II has
given proofs Of strength which make it
probable that before long the current
may be setting in its favor. The dis
members of each party returned IS very
much greater than the disparity repre-
scented by the votes cast"
Mr. Brycefs personal triumph in Sc
curing his reelection has been rendered
more significant by the unexpected sue
cess of the Uniouists in upsetting a.
strong Liberal majority in Aberdeen
shire and winning their sixth seat in
Scotland. This gain gave them a lead
of a single seat over the majority of
the last parliament with only one out OF
seven seats to defend in the remaining
contests
Mr.. Chamberlain. having finished the
work of the canvass. has returned to the
colonial office, where business is in ar
rears- The only hint Y hich has been
thrown out respecting the form of set
Element IN South Africa is his own fore
cast that the new territories viii be gov
erned as crown colonies after they have
passed out Of the condition of military
rule. Objection is offered by some
critics that this Will mean government
by Downing street. with all the wires in
the hands of Mr. Chamberlain His enc
mics are hardly consistent when they
insist that he must mop up the mess
which he has made and at the same time
object to his keeping the tentative ad
ministration of the new colonies under
his own direction His detractors are
forced to concede that he was a SEEeWd
politician IN bringing on dissolution
when he did The Unionists have barely
kept their majority under most favorable
conditions They world certainly nave
reduced 1t by waiting until January or
March The cost Of living has run up
by leaps and bounds. and the various
Industries are hampered by high prices
of coal and raw material The cotton
supply for Lancashire IS a serious prop
lem which -rnenaces the working class
with loss OF employment and the full
burden of increased income taxation viii
be felt during the spring. The Khaki
election was adroitly timed for the gov
eminent. but il was premature SO far
as Lord Roberts was concerned. since
his return is not expected until January.