New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-03
KING OPENS PARLIAMENT
FISCAL QUESTION UP.
austen Chamberlain as Ledder-A
Curious Situation.


Chamberlain described his father. was the cen
trail figure in the drama that marked the open
ing OF Parliament to-day. No playwright could
have devised a more curious situation. For the
first time in years Joseph Chamberlain took MS
seat as a private member OF the House OF COM
mons and was separated from his former col
leagues in the Cabinet by the gangway. From
this seat he saw his son act as leader OF the
House OF Commons. a position which Joseph
Chamberlain with all his years OF ParIamen-
tary experience. never attained
Premier Balfour was laid with Influenza
and therefore unable TO be present. When Aus
ten Chamberlain rose to reply in behaIf or the
party Of which his own father is supposed to be
the most powerfuI member the house was spell
hound IrntU that moment Mr.. ers-Douglas'
Secretary of State for Home Affairs. was gen
orally expected to take Premier Balfours place
and interest in the proceedings was heishteAed
by the fact that Sir Henry Campbell-Bahher-
man. the Liberal leader had just concluded
merciless satire on Austen Chamberlain's rather
The situation was without parallel in the recoi-
lection Of the oldest politician, and all eyes were
fixed alternately upon the father and the son.
CHAMBERLAIN CHEERS HIS SON
Josenb Chamberlain. who had sat unmoved
under the ridicule Of the Liberal leader turned
neryouslv toward his son, who now takes prece-
dence over him. with his monocle in his eye an
orchid in his buttonhole and his hands clasped
across his knees. the most prominent figure in
the British Empire sat and listened TO MS own
defence from the lips OF his son.
Austen Chamberlain spoke haltingly ana
under evident strain yet when he referred TO his
father il was always as "the Member Tor
West birmingham" There was a tinge or I'M
passioned feeling in his words which brought
constantly TO his hearers realization or the re-
lation between the two men. Now ana again
teers erected the Youngest member Of the Cab
met whereupon. with unmistakable anger MS
father turned his glance in the direction OF the
ofrar,er and occasionally Joseph Chamberlain
cheered his son on with an emphatic Hear
heart
A. Austen Chamberlain neared the conclu-
.,or Of his defence Of the attitude or Premier
ualfour and his father toward the fiscal ques-
ton the interruptions grew more frequent ana
che chancellor OF the Exchequer clutched the
br.ssbound treasury box. on which Gladstone
was so fond Of leaning. and addressed MS re-
marks almost solely in the direction OF his
father. Dedanty Austen Chamberlain accused
81 IIepr-, Campbell Zimmerman Of attacking
the Premier in his absence. and, with a touch
Of rrid.. said The Member FOR West Biz
,pinebau is here. He speak for and look
after himself"
The House frankly expressed It's relief when
the speech was over. and generally termed the
proceedings as one OF the most extraordinary per
sonal situations that ever mad occurred. and the
speech as one OF the weakest defences OF the
governments policy ever made
on behalf OF Premier Balfour Austen Cham
b,rlain declared the House OF Commons must
arst decide whether or not II desired any change
NJ all In the fiscal system. and until that point
was settled the OPPOSITION demand FOR details
OF the governments fiscal reform plan could not
lie granted.
THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.
King Edward opened Parliament with all the
ceremonial that has been In vogue since his
fnaiesty's accession to the throne Early in the
day the time honored search 81 the vaults OF the
Houses of Parliament for conspirators took
place. and later came the crowds. under a forest
OF umbrellas. always eager for anything In the
way 81 pageantry.
REFERENCE To COTTON SITUATION.
ON the arrival Of the members OF the House
Of Commons King Edward read the Speech from
the Throne The document was somewhat col
ored from an international point OF view.
Touching on the Alaska decision. the King ;
Speech said that some points the verdict
was favorable to the British claims and on
others II had been adverse. Much this last
/ circumstance was to Toe depored. II must new
l
misunderstanding. In which ancient boundary
7 treaties. made in ignorance OF geographical
/ facts. are fertile have in this been final
! ~ removed from the field 81 controversy
The crisis in the Far East IS touched upon
! briefly IN the Speech. as follows.
/ have watched with concern the course Of the
/ negotiations between the governments OF Japan
and Russia In regard to their respective inter
! ests IN China and Corea. and disturbance Of
I the peace I'm those regions could not but have
/ deplorable Consequences. Any assistance which
/ my government can usefully render toward the
promotion Of "A pacific solution will be gladly af-
/ foTded.
one OF the points Of interest TO the United
/ States was a reference to cotton. follows:
The insufIiceucy OF the supply of raw material.
/ upon which the great cotton industry OF this
4 country depends has inspired me with deep con-
/ Germ. / trust the efforts being made in various
parts OF my empire to increase the area Of cult
/ walton may be attended with large measure
/ Of success.
THE TIBETAN EXPEDITION.
After mentioning the political mission which.
with the concurrence Of the Chinese government.
has entered Tibetan territory in order to Sc
cure due observance OF conventions" saying
that a Chinese official had zen dispatched from
Picking to meet the mission. and expressing trust
that an arrangement would be reached TO re-
move peacefully the constant sources OF fric-
ton, the Speech concludes with the warning
that, although the estimates have been framed
With the utmost desire for economy. the burden
imposed by the necessities of naval and military
defence Is Undoubtedly serious" and mentions
Of the proposed domestic legislation. as al
ready forecast in these dispatches No sug-
gestion Of legislation concerning Ireland was
contained in the Kings Speech, The King read