The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-28
Liberal Party Has Apparently
Gone to Pieces.
Climax of the Strife Caused b.
BOer War
AGAINST CHAMBERLAIN
One Third of His Party Votes
to Condemn Him.
The Government" on theVerge
of Dissolution.

(Copyright 1900, the Associated Press.)
London, July 2S.-Almost as remark
able as the breakdown of long estab-
lished social customs before the trop-
ical wave is the breakup of the liberal
party. With a general election far dis
tant, 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 forma-
tion of a third party is generally con-
Sidered almost inevitable as the result
OF the internal dissensionS now raging
in the liberal ranks The imperialists
have thrown off the mask and demand
control of the party. maintaining that
both by numbers and influence they are
entitled to dictate its policy. In this
they are opposed by the forwards or
anti-imDerialist liberals, with a vigor
and bitterness that can only be COM
pared to the acerbity with which the
GladstOnianS assailed the liberal union
lists when home rule brought the part
ing of the ways
The climax of the strife that has
been simmering since the commence
ment of the ROer war came Wednes-
day when one-third of the liberal party
voted to condemn the colonial secretary,
joseph Chamberlain, and all his works.
One-third voted with the government to
slstain him. while the smallest section
of all. including the nominal leader,
abstained from voting at all.
It is scarcely surprising that Sir
Henry Campbell-Bannerman should be
anxious to throw up his thankless task,
but that only represents a minor fea-
ture of this grave situation One of
the liberal whips, William Alexander
Macarthur, member for Leicester, has
openly thrown off allegiance by voting
with the government. an almost un-
precedented action on the part of one
holding such a position. Herbert Glad
stone, the chief whip, is on the point of
resigning to show disgust with what he
believes f0 he the 6iSlOValfV of Sir Ed
ward Gray and others who follow him.
Meanwhile the imperialist section has
demanded that Sir Edward Gray as
sumo the leadership, which would be
another way of bringing Lord Rose
ha-y back into -active political life.
Such a development would never be
swallowed by John Morley, Secretary
W1lfred Lawson, Henry IabOuchere,
Leonard Courtney and their followers.
mpbell-Bannerman'S consent, under
pressure. to temporarily retain the lead
ership is but a slim guarantee of peace
within the liberal ranks, for upon any
repetition of Wednesdays scene he will
promptly resign 1t is impossible to
see how such a repetition can be avoid
ed, and 50 another secession from the
liberal ranks, equaling in gravity the
split of 1886, may be confidently ex-
rected.
The government is considering the
appointment 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 cheap
ness of American coal and the diminish
ing 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 London this
week. namely: Chairman Serene Payne
and Congressman Charles H. GrosvenOr
of Ohio c.. w. Steele of Indiana. and
John Dalzell of Pennsylvania All of
these gentlemen came in search of
recreation
OF the host of other American not
ables recently arrived may be men
TONED 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 will retain
that name or be known as Mrs West
1t appears that everywhere except at
court she may retain her present name,
hut when presented to the queen it must
be as plain Mrs West. By her re-
marriage she forfeits none of the for
tus4e left by her first husband, which
chiefly consists in a life interest in $780,
Ooo This at her death goes to her sons.
Winston Spencer Churchill and John
Churchill in such portions as Lady
Randolph pleases-
J. S. Taylor, the open golf champion
of England. viii sail for America Au-
gust 4. He expects to remain in the
United States about three months.
playing matches with Harry Vardon.
and leading American golfers.
With the closing of the Lyceum. Hay
market. Garrick. Comedy and Gaiety
theaters tonight the theatrical season,
which had been dragging out through
the tropical weather will practically
end.