The Washington times., 1905-12-24
BRITISH EMPIRE
RULED BY LIBERALS
First Time in History of
English Nation.
WOMEN OCCUPY POSITIONS
Measure Providing for Equal Suf-
fIage May Pass Ere
Long.
By LADY HENRY SOMERSET.

By LADY HENRY SOMERSET.
LONDON, Dec. 2S-The last few days
have brought about a situation which
has never existed in the history OF the
empire. and that Is the complete domi-
nance OF tho Liberty party. Sir Henry
Campbell -Bannerman has within the
last two days become the Liberal prime
minister. Australia. South Africa, and
Canada are all ruled under a Liberal
administration.
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was a
man who. az the outset Of his career
would not have been singled out as
likely TO attain to great prominence.
but during the South African WAT he
became the leader OF that party hotly
opposed to the policy then pursued by
the British government, and he prob
ably enjoyed a greater share Of unpop-
ularity than any other man in England
at that time. but he took a view which
was not restricted Ly ,nomentary en-
thusiasm. He saw further and wider
he was aware that after every war
there comes a reaction. and he was
strong enough to wait for that rebound.
he was contented TO be the champion
OF an unpopular cause. and TO take the
risks: and like all who are patient
enough to wait, his time has come We
do not fail TO ask ourselves at this mo-
n1ent, what will he do with his great
opportunity? He is a man who is not
likely TO be rash in order to be bril-
liant, and he will not be I'm a hurry. His
friends recognize in him one OF the
most amiable OF men. unassuming and
at all times willing to take advice and
TO listen to the opinions of others, and
everybody likes &C. b." He is not an
orator in the ordinary sense OF the word,
and his speeches are better read than
listened TO, but he is epigrammatic and
witty, and he has often been able TO
turn a laugh on his opponents, which
has been of great use.
Youth No Disqualification.
One OF the peculiarities which is likely
to be recognized in the new parliament
is that youth will be no disqualification.
and it is quite true. as Mr.. Chesterton
wittily observed the other day. that the
message OF the young man is urgently
needed. and It ought to be almost en-
urely theoretic.
The Liberal party has been for a long
time demoralized by the absence of the
leader whom they had depended upon
for so many years, and the cry has too
often been heard, "Oh. for an hour OF
Gladstone.' Every one has been wait
ing for a leader instead Of being willing
to go forward and take the chance that
might come to them of leading them
selves. and the young man is needed
now who will run the risk of being
thought presumptuous in order 10 seize
the opportunity which may be his.
But the basic dogma of the political
creed must be social reform. The minds
and hearts of Liberals must be set upon
carrying through measures which will
be for the real and vital interest of the
people, for never before has any political
party had such an unrivaled oppor-
tunity.
Women in Politics.
Another feature of the new Liberal
administration, from a social point OF
View, will be The number of women Oc-
cupying prominent positions who will be
the hostesses CT the political party which
has attained to power.
The Countess of Crewe. VINO Is the
daughter q Lord ROsebery, and tne wife
Of an Earl of pronounced Liberal views,
VIII be among the foremost. and Crewe
House is likely TO become a head center
OF official Liberalism.
Lady CampbeIl-Bannerman is unfor-
tunately in such bad health that she is
not likely 10 be able 20 give any OF the
famous dinners for which the house OF
the liberal premier hitherto has been
celebrated.
Mrs. AsQuith, brilliant. clever, uncon-
yentional and erratic, viii entertain IN
her house I'm Cavendish square, but hel
parties will never be exclusively DO.
lticai, as she has too many friends oi
all shades of opinion.
Lady Beauchamp, sister OF the present
duke OF Westminster. step-daughter d
Mir. George Wyndham, the late IrisI
secretary. and niece by marriage OF th'
Princess OF Wales. has much influence
In the social world, and is one Of tbs
most amiabIe and excellent women wis
hold a responsible position in England.
Lady Darlington will be another WON
an who will hold sway and whose hous,
will be the center for political leaders
And last and not least Lady Aberdeen
and her daughter. Lady Marjorie Sin
clair. viii be among the leading womer
who take an interest Ia public matters
and Mrs. Herbert Gladstone, who's
name is political fortune. is a bright
pretty woman who will entertain hel
husbands supporters during the coming
summer. Mrs. Lulu" Harcourt th'
wife OF Sir William Vernon Harcourt'i
only son. is an American and a niece o.
Pierpont Morgan. and her parties arr
likely TO be among the most magnificen
In the political world.
Woman's Suffrage Cause.
While the government of man Is beini
insugurated afresh. women are ono
more demonstrating their attitude 70
taking part in public affairs. The Won
ems Local Government dinner. which
was held last week is proof positive tina
women are interested In the affairs oi
state Mrs. Fawcett. the well-knowr
supporter of Woman's Suffrage. deliver
ed a speech full of hope for the caus'
for which she and other women have
worked so long. The last forty years
she claimed, have seen tremendous aG
vance and she believed that the next
forty would bring infinitely more. Th'
question for which they were striving