The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-02-06
THE IRISH IN PARLIAMENT.

THE IRISH IN PARLIAMENT.
On Tuesday last the British Parlia-
ment met. For the first time in many
years Joseph Chamberlain, the most
powerful and most talked-of man in
England, occupied seat in the House
OF Commons as an ordinary member.
His son, Austen Chamberlain, sat in
the ministerial benches where his IA
ther sat for SO many years. Premier
Balfour was absent and it fell to
Austen Chamberlain to assume the
role of leader of the House of Com
mons, position never attained by
his father Notwithstanding the latter's
long service and great ability. The
son in a speech supporting the new
tariff views of his father referred to
the latter as my right honorable
friend, the member from West Birm-
ingham," and amid jeers and Interrupt
tons from the House asserted that
'the member from West Birmingham
is here; he can speak for and look out
for himself" From the attitude mani
tested toward the Chamberlains it has
become manifest that the present
British ministry cannot long survive
Just before Parliament met the Gov
eminent lost another seat in bye
election. Mr. Balfour will doubtless
spar for time as a dissolution of
Parliament ut this time would mean
certain defeat for Balfour and Cham
berl;in. Many Conservatives will be
inclined to support Balfour who are
opposed to the Chamberlain scheme,
because they know that Il vote of lack
OF confidence would dissolve Parlia-
ment and bring on general election,
anu this would mean their retirement
from Parliament. Nothing but con-
fusion exists as far as party lines 20.
The strong Unionist party is badly
shattered. Mr.. Chamberlain and the
Duke of Devonshire, who deserted
Gladstone on the Home Rule question
anu "IiS llc icitucfS Ill FORMING the
unionist party, are now the most bit
ter political enemies in England. Mr..
Ritchie and Mr.. Hamilton, who were
members of the Ministry before Joseph
Chamberlain launched his new tariff
idea, are now the opponents of the
Government. The only party which
remains intact is the Irish party I'M
der John Redmond. The Irish are
still united. The efforts of the enc
mics of Ireland have not succeeded.
William O'Brien is not Il member of
the Commons, but his resignation has
not had the effect Which the faction
lists in Ireland hoped for. This party
OF eighty odd members is the most
effective fighting force in the House
of Commons. Mr.. Balfour cannot long
succeed without the aid of this force
What will the price be which the
Irish will demand? Will Balfour and
his party pay the price? These are
+, momentous questions for Ireland.
|
the present British Government will
yield to Irish demands without first
appealing to the country and trying
to get majority without Irish aid
The New York Post, commenting on
the position held by the Irish men,
bers, says:
Meanwhile, it is every day becom-
ing clearer that the Irish members are
likely to hold the balance of pawer.
| AS it is, they have Mr.. Balfour's Gov
eminent in the hollow of their hand.
II he does not pay them their price
we mean it in good sense; what they
want now is Catholic University for
Ireland-out he goes. After gen.
eral election they count upon being
even more securely in command. Yet,
as T. w. Russell has lately said, it
does not follow that the Irish will re-
fuse to deal with Chamberlain. They
would insist upon Home Rule as the
only cement Of the pact, but why, asks
Mr.. Russell bitterly, "should not Mr..
Chamberlain change his mind upon
this as he has done upon almost every
other question:" He adds his belief
that the bargain will be struck. "Be-
fore the twentieth century has run its
first decade, the Union may be de-
stroyed by the Unionist party. And
who is there among the Unionists who
will not say that they have been serv-
ed right?"