New-York tribune., 1905-02-12
PARLIAMENT FORECASTS.
CONTEST ASSURED.
Ninistrys Intention Not to Resign
on Minor Defeat.

London, Feb. 11-Parliament opens on next
Tuesday when King Edward. with picturesque
pomp. will go from Buckingham Palace to
Westminster where he will deliver the speech
from the throne This spectacular feature win
be the curtain raiser to grim struggle of long
or short duration between Prime Minister Bal
four's administration and the Liberal oppo-
sition
Closest observers are unable to gauge the
staying powers of the government Rumors of
a defeat of the government are as rife and
positive the statements made year
ago. when the predictions gave Mr.. Balfour only
strength sufficient to read the Budget. Now it
is confidently stated that dissolution will come
quickly, even within the limit of debate on the
address in reply to the speech from the throne,
which will last about two weeks
Whips from the government and Opposition
sides have received warnings to be ready for
a general election call by the Opposition. whose
leaders express the firm conviction that the
government will be unable TO maintain
jority and is certain of defeat. either the re-
suit of desertiOn by Unionists when the ques-
tton of free food comes up. of apathy on the
part of the Ministerialists. On the other hand
Mr.. Balfour and many of the more prominent
members Of the Unionist party assert in positive
terms that they be defeated only by the
failure of the Unionist members to do their
duty, and that the government will not resign
unless 1t is defeated on an important division.
The session, especially during the earlier days
is bound to be full of intense interest, and the
Opposition undoubtedly intends to hang on to
the heels of the government. losing oppor-
tunity TO catch it off its guard.
AS usual the Irish vote is largely in doubt
and will be able to command at least careful
consideration from both sides. and perhaps
cure further concessions. A meeting of the
Irish party was held at the Mansion House.
Dublin. to-day. but there nothing done to
indicate any particular programme. John Red
mond was again elected chairman of the party,
and the whips and other officers were reelected.
The meeting lasted only twenty minutes.
The Alien bill and the question of the unenn-
ployed will give opportunities to both sides to
bid for popular support Three thousand un-
employed held meeting in Trafalgar Square
to-day, at which the speakers announced the
intention to lombard Westminster with depu-
tations.
The debate on the address in reply to the
speech from the throne will be followed by a
vote for supplies, and little legislation OF i'm
portance may be expected before Easter AL
most all interests therefore will be centred in
offensive and defensive tactics. The Opposi-
ton doubtless will endeavor in various ways to
censure the government early in the debate on
the address, and also to introduce a free food
resolution calculated to catch those on the
government benches who are pledged to free
food.
The government will have to face a heavy at
tack its military policy, and 1t Is significant
that some of the stronges stNnewspapers support
ing protection and the government have openly
and persistently attacked the War Office.