New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31
BRITISH POLITICS UPSET.
4 MIDDLE IN THE HOCSE
Mann Factions Promise Confusion
in Coming Session.


London. Jan. 3O-on Tuesday February ..
King Edward in state will open what promises
to be one of the most interesting and most inn
portant sessions in the history of the British
Parliament. Every nation in the world is ma
terially concerned in the divisions that will
shortly occur in the stuffy little House of Com
mons. and upon their result the future policy
of the British Empire must largely depend No
government of recent times has ever refaced
the legislature under such altered conditions.
Since Parliament adjourned in June last, not
only has the Cabinet been entirely reconstruct
ed. but the party lines have been completely
broken. Seven distinct factions. the first three
having composed the Unionist party. win take
seats in the House OF Commons Tuesday.
namely:
The followers of Mr.. Balfour. the Premier.
who favor policy OF tariff retaliation, but who
object to protection
The Chamberlain party, which insists that
protection is necessary to the unity OF the en-
pre.
The out and out free traders. who are op-
posed TO any tinkering with the fiscal system
The Liberals. who though they were almost
to a man free traders, are split up into Two
definite factions, following Sir Henry Camp
bell-Bannerman, and insisting on Home Rule,
and the other regarding Lord Rosebery their
logical leader, and refusing,to make Home Rule
plank OF their platform
The Labor party. which completes the triple
John Redmond and the Irish party.
In view OF this complex state OF affairs
largely due 10 events since Parliament met.
the most astute politicians frankly confess
themselves TO be at So many former Cabi-
net Ministers, including Joseph Chamberlain.
Charles T. Richie and Lord George Hamilton,
Will be absent from their accustomed places on
the front bench on Tuesday that the oldest Par
namentary hands will scarcely be able to dis
tinguish between the supporters and the op-
ponents Of the government on the fiscal ques-
ton.
GOVERNMENT MAY FALL AT OUTSET.
The Duke Of Devonshire. Lord Avebury. Mr.
Gosohen. Sir John Gorst. Lord George Hamilton.
Lord Hugh Cecil. Winston Churchill and many
others identified with the present party in power
Will be Mr.. Balfour's most bitter opponents the
moment the fiscal question is raised. That viii
come quickly. for John Morley intends introduce
ing amendment TO the Kings Speech this
point 1t is possibly, though hardly probable
that Mr.. Morley may turn out the government
The debate is likely to take up several days
Strenuous efforts are now being made to get the
free trade UniOnist members not only TO abstain
from voting for the government but openly TO
join the Liberal forces IN the Opposition lobby.
However. even il this is accomplished and the
Duke or Devonshire's followers make common
cause with the Liberals who regard Lord Rose
berry their leader. it would not constitute a
solution of the differences of opinion which exist
between Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and
the Liberal ex-Premier.
IRISH HOLD BALANCE OF POWER.
The best informed persons say that even in
the event OF temporary coalition OF all the
free trade forces. the Irish party has the decld-
ing vote. and all indications point TO John Red
mond keeping Mr.. Balfour in power: but Mr.
Redmond does not make definite pledges the
Irish party through the session is likely to be
uncertain factor. That will heIghten the in
terest. and any day may make IL possible for Mr.
Balfour 10 be deposed. The Irish party's tenta-
tive support OF the government IS understood 70
be due to the assurances OF George wyndham
the Chief Secretary for Ireland. that he will
establish Catholic university at Dublin and
Will amend the Irish Land Purchase act. De-
spite this. however. Mr.. Redmond intends at
lacking the Kings Speech with a Home Rule
amendment. It is not likely to be attended
with serious results. but the schisms OF the
English parties. swept by a storm OF conflicting
fiscal convictions. generally admitted 10
stitute Ireland's opportunity. and Mr.. Redmond
is now the only leader IN the House who
rely on the consistent. solid support all occa-
sions Of his followers
TOPICS IN THE KINGS SPEECH
The Kings Speech is likely 10 deal with British
neutrality in the Far Eastern crisis. and to out
line the proposed domestic legislation the chief
item OF which will be the prohibition OF the I'M
migration of destitute aliens. the lines now IN
force In the United States. Immigrants who are
permitted 10 land Will be subjected TO a system
OF registration. and will be compelled to report
themselves TO the Register OF Births and Deaths
OF the district In which they reside Any dis
trict becoming congested can be prohibited TO
aliens.
Besides the amendments by Messrs. Morley
and Redmond. the government will be attacked
on the report OF the War Commission. This
will be taken up by William s. Robson. Liberal
Another amendment will be moved by David
Lloyd-George. Liberal. denouncing the govern
ment's recent Education act: while the employ
ment OF Chinese labor I'm the Transvaal Is likely
to come in for severe criticism.
A few months ago these topics would have at
tracted intense interest. and might have driven
the government into a corner. Now they al
most forgotten in the question OF the hour
free trade against protection-which has put
British politics at skies and sevsns. Many men,
bers OF the House OF Commons scarcely know
their mind yet the vital topic. and
several are undecided 10 which side OF the
House TO sit when the King convenes Para-
ment next Tuesday.