The San Francisco call., 1905-05-23
Attack on Balfour
Pressed Amid
Tumult.
Premier Accused Of Vio-
lation Of Pledge Made
to Country.
Forced Adjournment Taken
After Futile Efforts toSup-
press Disorder.

LONDON. May 22.-The sitting OF the
House of Commons tonight was
marked by scenes OF the widest disor-
der. growing out of a motion by Sir
Henry Campbell Zimmerman TO adjourn
the House in order that it might discuss
his charge against Premier Balfour OF
having violated his pledge not TO deal
with the subject OF colonial preference
without first appealing to the country.
Alfred Lyttelton. Secretary of State
for the Colonies, was put up TO reply
to the Liberal leader. but the members
Of the opposition shouted down his
every attempt TO speak. even after
the Premier had demanded a hearing
for the Secretary. Finally the Speak
er, after he had exhausted every effort
to quell the turbulence. put into force
for the first time new rule. empow-
ering him TO adjourn the House in cases
OF grave disorder.
The matter came up at the afternoon
sitting, when Premier Balfour. reply
ing to questions on the subject, said
he did not consider himself pledged TO
inaction in regard to colonial. prefer
ence, except so far as parliamentary
action was concerned He reiterated
that the Government did not intend 20
deal with the fiscal question in the
present Parliament. The matter of
submitted to a colonial conference In
1906. even though the country had not
previously had an opportunity OF ex-
pressing an opinion on the subject The
decision OF the conference. however.
would not be binding either on the
mother country or on the colonies
without legislative action
CHARGE AGAINST PREMIER.
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman, the
Liberal leader. charged Balfour with
having violated the pledge he had made
in his Edinburgh speech. and moved
the adjournment OF the House TO discuss
the matter. The Liberal leader de-
manded a plain answer from Premier
Balfour. and Alfred Lyttelton. Secre-
tary of State for the Colonies. arose TO
reply.
The members OF the opposition
drowned the efforts OF the Secretary
with cries OF '-Balfouri Balfourr' Af-
ter continuing for about ten minutes
Lyttelton sat down
Winston Churchill then attempted to
speak. but the dinisterialists drowned
his efforts, the Nationalists joining in
the din and shouting for the police.
After a number OF members had failed
to obtain hearing the Premier rose TO a
point of order and a temporary luil fol-
lowed Balfour said he thought it highly
improper that he should be Immediately
expected to follow the leader OF the op-
position He said he had never before
known the opposition TO refuse TO hear
Minister, and he insisted that the House
hear Secretary Lyttelton. as otherwise
the dignity Of the House could not be
maintained
Lyttelton again made an attempt TO
speak. but the uproar was renewed. Fin
ally the Speaker said 1t was obvious
that the scene could not continue. and
he would therefore adjourn the House
under the rules empowering the Speak
er to take such action IN cases OF grave
disorder.
The Speaker had been unable to secure
even a semblance Of order. after howls
and counter-howls lasting more than an
hour.
GALLERIES JOIN IN HUBBUB.
/ The action OF the Speaker and the
scenes IN the House created a trennen-
/ dous sensation IN the lobbies. which were
/ crowded with members discussing every
phase Of the evenings occurrences. which
were declared to be unprecedented The
/ galleries were flied with peers and
I other distin guished persons who had
gathered in the hope OF hearing an In
1 terestinz debate on the fiscal question
4 They took part in the cries for their
/ favorites. thus adding to the din. and
afterward joined the excited cTowsd in
| the lobbies-
Except when Sir Henry Campbell Ban
herman taunted him with being the sole
cause Of the disorder and Balfour flashed
an angry reply. the Premier was most
composed throughout the sitting
\ Lyttleton also showed the greatest self
possession IN his difficult position Stand
ing at the treasury table. flushed. but
immobile, times out of number he es-
sayed to speak. always beginning the
Prime Minister" and always being
shouted down with cries OF "Balfour.
/ Balfourt' Let him defend his own
honors'' let him fight his own battles.
etc. Whenever the storm showed signs
( of subsiding the Irish members joined IN,
I helping the hubbub-
The Liberal leaders afterward held
I conference. and IL is expected that a vote
| of censure on Premier Balfour will be
moved Tomorrow by Sir Henry Camp
bell -Bannerman.