Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-14
KING PRAISES IRISH
Address Read in Proroguing
Parliament.
PERFUNCTORY SPEECH
WINSTON CHURCHILL MAKES
FLING AT GOVERNMENT.
Says Present Parliament May Never
Meet Again-Delay in Vene-
zuelan Matter.

LONDON, August 14-Both houses Of
parliament assembled early today to wind
up the business of the session.
In the house of commons several ques-
tions were asked relating to matters of
International interest. Premier Balfour, in
general reply, said there had been an un-
expected delay in the Venezuelan question,
which, however, was not due to Great Brit
ain or 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 to de-
eide. He believed that the court whose
members the czar had been requested to
nominate, would meet the date origin
ally fixed.
Regarding the complaints that the gov
ernment was showing a lack of sympathy
with Macedonia Mr.. Balfour pointed out
that one of the deep sources Of mischief
was the diSsensions among the Christians
1t was not the Turk alone-deep as his
guilt undoubtedly was-who was respon-
sible for the miserable conditions. 1t would
be folly to forget that the Christians COM
mitted atrocities on Christians The gov
ernment was still of the opinion that the
best policy was to support the Austro-Rus
sian endeavorS to improve the administra-
ton.
No Reason for Hurry.
Dealing with the protests against the
house on the fiscal controversy the premier
said he thought there was no necessity for
undue hurry in discussing the matter.
There was no pending fiscal question
before parliament nor would there be one
during the currency of the present parlia-
ment.
With final fling from Winston Churchill.
who seemed doubtful whether the present
parliament would meet again and who
characterized the premier's policy of trans
ferring the fiscal discussion from paria-
ment to the country as that OF dema-
gogue, the sitting was suspended. subse-
quently the house was summoned to the
house of lords to hear the kings speech
proroguing parliament read.
The speech was of little general or inter-
national interest 1t alluded to the cordi
ality of the kings reception in Portugal,
Italy and France and to the return visit of
President Loubet, whose visit has given
rise to a striking exhibition of the feelings
of mutual good will which prevail in the
two countries"
Allusion to Ireland.
The most interesting portion of the speech
to America deals with Ireland. 1t says:
THE warm expressions of good will with
which 1 was everywhere received greatly
touched me. My visit enabled me to realize
how much was being attempted to improve
the housing accommodation for the working
population, stimulate commercial activity,
advance the methods of agriculture, develop
technical education and provide for the
sick and infirm. Much remains to be done,
but 1t with feelings of the deepest
qualification that noticed signs of increas
ing concord among all classes in Ireland,
presaging. as l hope, a new era of uutted
efforts for the general welfare"
Referring to the Irish land bill, the speech
says IT offers Inducements to the laadown-
ers to continue their residence among their
countrymen and provides facilities for in:-
proving the conditions of life in the poorer
districts a
This reform by removing the ancient
causes of social dissenson. will, | heartily
trust conduce to the common benefit of all
my Irish subjects"
Reference is made In the speech to the
general anxiety regarding the situation N
the European provinces of Turkey, to tine
great progress made in the work of reset
tlement and pacifcation In South Af,Ica
and the improvement in the conditions of
agriculture and finance in India.
After the reading of the kings Speech
parliament was prorogued till November =
Governments Future Uncertain.
There has probably never been proroga-
tion of parliament when the future of the
government was so uncertain is the case
on this occa sion Many believe there will
be dissolution in the autumn, though the
best information does not support this be-
lief Mr. Balfour's speech at Sheffield at
the end of September is awaited with the
nouncement of policy which will possibly
force either the Duke of Devonshire-a pro-
nOunced free trader-or Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain to resign. The members of
parliament will curtail their holidays-the
free trade leaguers in order to open the fis-
cal campaign speedily as possible and
the followers of Mr.. Chamberlain to repel
the attack.