New-York tribune., 1903-08-15
NOW FOR TARIFF FIGHT.
PARLIAMENT PROROGUED.
The Kings Speech-Uncertainty of
Coming Contest.

London, Aug 14.-Both Houses of Parliament
assembled early to-day TO wind up the business
of the session. In the House of Commons sew
eraI questions were asked relating to matters of
international interest. Mr.. Bafour, in a general
reply. said there had been an unexpected delay
in the Venezuelan question which, however, was
not due to Great Britain Germany. who had
taken parallel action. but to the fact that
France and Spain objected to the use of the
English language by the tribunal. The question
had been left to the tribunal itself 10 decide.
He believed that the court, whose members the
Car had been requested to nominate. would
meet on the date originally fixed.
Regarding the complaints that the government
showing a lack of sympathy with Mace
donia, Mr.. Balfour pointed out that one of the
deep sources of mischief was the dssensions
among the Christians. 1t not the Turk
alone-deep his guilt undoubtedly was-who
was responsible for the misera BILE conditions 1t
would be folly to forget that the Christians
committed atrocities on Christians. The sew
ernment was still Of the opinion that the best
policy was to support the Austro-Russian
deavors to improve the administration.
Dealing with the protests against puzzling the
House on the fiscal controversy, the Premier.
said he thought there was no necessity for un-
due hurry in discussing the matter. There was
no pending fiscal question before Parliament,
nor would there be in the present Par
lament.
With a final fling from Winston Churchill,
who seemed doubtful whether the present Par
lament would meet again, and who character
lied the Premers policy of transferring the
fiscal discussion from Parliament to the country
that of demagogue, the sitting was sus-
pended. Subsequently the House was summon
ed to the House of Lords to hear the Kings
speech, proroguing Parliament. read
The Kings. speech was of little general or in
ternational interest. 1t referred to the cordial
ity of his majestys reception in Portugal. Italy
and France. and to the return visit of President
Loubet, whose visit has given rise to a strik-
ing exhibition of the feelings of mutual good
will which prevail in the two countries
The most interesting part of the speech to
America dealt with Ireland. 1t said:
The warm expressions of good will with which
1 was everywhere received greatly touched me.
My visit enabled me realize how much
being attempted to improve the housing accom-
mediation for the working population stimulate
commercial activity, advance the methods of
agriculture, develop teaChnical education and
provide for the sick and infirm. Much remains
to be done, but it with feelings Of the deep
est qualification that noticed signs of increas-
ing concord among all classes IN ireland, pre-
saging. as I hope new era of united efforts
for the general welfare.
Referring to the Irish Land bill, the speech
said it offered inducements to the land owners
to continue their residence among their country
men. and provided facilities for improving the
conditions of life in the poorer districts of the
west. It added:
This reform, by removing the ancient causes
of social dissension, will, heartily trust, con-
duce to the common benefit of all my Irish sub
jects.
Reference is made in the speech to the general
anxiety regarding the situation in the Euro
pean provinces of Turkey. to the great progress
made in the work of resettlement and pacifca-
Zion in South Africa, and the Improvement in
the conditions of agriculture and finance In
India
After the reading of the Kings speech, Par
lament was prorogued till November ,.
There has probably never been a proroga-
ton of Parliament when the future of the gov
ernment was so uncertain as is the case on this
occasion Many believe there will be dissolu-
ton in the autumn, though the best information
does not support this belief Mr.. Balfour's
speech at Sheffield at the end of September is
awaited with the keenest interest, as it will
contain a pronouncement of policy which will
possibly force either the Duke Of Devonshire-a
pronounced Free Trader--or the Colonial Secre-
tary Mr.. Chamberlain, to resign. The mem
bers of Parliament will curtail their holidays
the free food adherents in order to open the
fiscal campaign as speedily as possible and the
followers of Mr.. Chamberlain to repel the at
tack