The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-02-01
FaCtiOnaI
Fight viii Mark
Session ofEngland's
Parliament

London. Jan. &c. king Edward win
open Ia fun state on February 2 what
promises 10 be one Of the most interest
ing and important sessions In the history
Of the British parliament. Every ma
ton In che world is materially concerned
IN the divisions that will shortly occur
IN the house Of commons, and upor the
result the future policy of the British
. empire must largely depend.
No government Of recent times mas
ever faced the legislature under such con-
ditions.
4 last not only has the cabinet been en-
trely reconstructed, but the partly lines
have been completely broken. Seven dis
tnct factions will take seats IN the house
Of commons Tuesday, namely
The followers OF Premier Balfour VINO
favor a policy Of tariff relation. but who
The Chamberiain party who insist that
protection Is necessary to the unity OF
the empire.
opposed TO any tinkering with the hscal
Tie foregoing were all formerly known
TIE liberals though they were, almost
10 a man free traders are split up into
two definite factions. a.
one follows Sir Henry Campbell Bant
herman and insists on some rule
The other regarding Lord Roseberry.
as their logical leader, refusing to make
home rule a plank OF their platform.
division of the liberal free trade ranks.
John Redmond and the Irish parliament
the seventh faction.
/ IL view OF this complex state Of affairs,
largely due 10 events since parliamept
last met. the most astute politicians
soundly confess themslevs to be at sea,
So many cabinet ministers including
Joseph Chamberlain, Chas. Ritchie and
Lord George Hamilton, will be absent
from their accus toned places on the front
bench Tuesday that the oldest parla-
mentarians viii scarcely be able 10 dls-
tinguish between the supporters ana the
opponents Of the government on the hscal
TIE Duke Of Devonshire. lord Ave
bury Mr. Goschen, Sir John Gorst Lore
and many others VIII be MIR. Balfour
most bitter opponents the moment thf
fiscal question is realized. That VIII
come quickly for John Morley intends to
introdToe an amendment to the King
speech on this point.
II s possible, though hardly probable.
ernment. The debate Is likely TO take up
Strenuous efforts are now making TO
get tke free trade unionist members not
only to abstain from voting but to open
~ join the liberal forces in the opposition
lobby. However. even II this Is accom-
pllshed and the Duke OF DeFonshlre
followers make common cause win the
liberals under the leadership Of Lord
Roseherry It would not necessitate So
luton OF the difficulty. The best informed
persons say that even IN the event OF a
temporary coalition Of all the free trade
forces the Irish party has the deciding
vote, and ali indications point to John
Redmond keeping Mr.. Balfour in pow, >
But. as Mr.. Redmond does not make
definite pledges, the Irish party through
out the session is likely to be an uncer
tain factor. That will heghten interest
and any day may make II possible for
Mr. Balsour TO be deposed. The Irish
party's tentative support Of the govern
ment Is understood to be due TO the as
surances of George Wyndham. the chief
secretary, In regard to the Irish land
purchase act.
Despite this, Mr.. Redmond intends to
attack the kings speech with home rule
amendment. II Is not likely to be at
tended by serious results. but the schisms
Of the English part yand other parties,
swept by a storm of conflicting fiscal
convictions, are generally admitted 10
constitute Ireland's opportunity
The kings speech Is likely TO first deal
with neutrality IN the far east.