The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-24
Tremendous Activity in London
 Political Circles
PREMIER VISITS THE KING
No Longer Has Sufficiently United Party at His Back to Again Meet Parliament-Dissolu
 Is Imminent.

London, November 3-'rremendous &C., tivity developed in political circles today consequent on the circulation of a we'll founded report that Premier Balfour had decided to bring his ministry to a close. and directly or indirectly appeal to the country
 Rumors regarding the resignation of the cabinet and the dissolution of parlia- ment have been thick for three months past, but when two of the leading gov ernmental organs today, almost in the same terms 'suggested' the immediate resignation of the premier on account of unmandable breaches in the unionist party over the fiscal question. the "sug- gestion" was looked upon as having been lnstgated by Mir. Balfour himself. This was strengthened by the knowledge that prior to the publication of the editorials Mr. Balfour met certain influential per- sons at his official residence in Downing street.
 Had Visited King Edward.
 These two facts when coupled, lead to the belief that the premier had intimated at the conference his intention to resign and as he had just returned from visit to King Edward at Windsor Castle it was believed that his majesty has been in- formed of Mir. Balfours intentions. Be- yond this, however, there Is not tho slightest official confirmation of the re- port.
 All political interest now centers in the cabinet meeting to be held tomorrow at which 1t Is understood that the situation will ho n persons go so far as to say that Mir. fial- four will go from the meeting tc King Edward with the reslgnations of himself and the other members If the cabinet.
 Conservative and unionist papers are in favor of the resignation of the cabinet which will place the liberals on tho dr- l fenslve in case Sir Henry Campbei .Ban- herman consents to form a new cahinei. but the radicals say that the resignation viii Jnly mean dissolution, as Sir Henry. if requested to form a ministry, VOL certainly decline to do so until the verdict of the people became known.
 Dissolution Seems Imminent.
 The liberal papers point out that while MT. Balfour may attempt this tactical move" they are confident 1t will fall on every side. and that therefore the disso- lution of parliament is believed to oe imminent. There Is no thought, how ever that a political campaign will be forced prior to the beginning of the year. with the elections somewhere about the end of January
 The Associated Press understands that forces have been at work inside the party for some time to bring about tho present situation. One prominent union ist recently wrote to the premier asking whether 1t would be considered disloyal if he introduced early in the next ses- ... ha tyh cal question squarely before the house. He told the premier that the unonists were tired of being twitted concerning their attitude on the fiscal question in the last term of Parliament, when they repeatedly declined to take part in de- bates or divisions. in difference to the wishes of MT. Balfour.
 Would Mean Defeat. The premier's reply was not given out, but the Associated Press understands that in any event the unionists intend to push such a resolution which they believe would mean the defeat of the government The political situation was so radically altered during the last week that even the government supporters no longer ar gue that MT. Balfour has sufficiently united party at his back to again meet Parliament with the opJect of initiating any legislation to the public advantage. The premiers appeal to the unonists at New Castle week ago to unite on his fiscal policy has not met with much suc- cess. On the contrary Joseph Chamber Iajn the most powerful private member of the Unionist coalition directly joined s- sue with his chief by a speech at Bristol Tuesday. calling on unionism to rally to the support of his own drastic fiscal pro- posals which include a 50c tax on grain. The cleavage of the party was thus more markedly accentuated and many unionst I.ta Hold hat flnf be served by a longer retention of of- fee.