The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-23
HOUSE OF COMMONS UPROAR,
ATTEMPT TO GUST THE BALFOUR
GOVERNMENT FAILS.
Sneakers Hooted Down by the Opposition.
who Demanded to Hear From the
Premier on the Fiscal Question-Session
suspcnded to Stop the Disorder.
.specta, cao.s Dsspoieh to THE SUN.

Premier on the Fiscal Question-4session
suspcnded to stop the Disorder.
specfal cab!s Dtspoieh to the SUN.
LONDON. May 22.-Despite previous fail
urss, the Opposition in the House Of Com
mons tried again tonight to Dust the Gov
Arnrnent on the fiscal question. The attempt
led TO an extraordinary uproar, which
ended in the abrupt suspension Of the ses-
SION without the Oppositions object being
achieved,
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, the Lib
ersl leader, moved the adjournment OF the
House Tor the purpose Of discussing state
ments made by Prime Minister Balfour to
the effect that the question Of colonial pref
erenoe may he submitted to the projected
colonial conference next year before the
country has expressed its opinion on the
subject through the polls.
There was some preliminary skirmishing
IN the afternoon on the question, when Mr..
Balfour, contending that the conference
could not be limited az to the topics it dis
c,,ssed, pointed out that neither the country
nor the Government would be bound by
what the conference might decide. He adj
hered to his past statements that the Gov
orament would not submit any fiscal reform
nroiect until the country electorally APP
proved Of 1t.
This did not satisfy Sir Henry Campbell
Rannerman, who at o O'Clock tonight
moved an adjournment, and in a speech
lasting half an hour went over the old fiscal
story. with embellishments adapted to the
occasion. When he had finished, amid a
burst Of cheers from the Opposition, Colonial
Secretary Lyttelton rose TO reply.
Then began the tunult. The Opposition
had made up Its mind to get personal
statement from the Prime Minister. and
AIRED -Balfour' hundreds OF times unceas-
ingly. Mr.. Lyttelton sat down and waited
COR the noise to subside, while Mr. Balfour
folded his arms and sat smiling benignly.
Then for no apparent reason the House
abandoned itself to pandemonium. Hoots,
croans yells and derisive shouts for the
poice were handled between the opposing
,arties. relieved now and then by burst
81 laughter when somebody beloved a
ndicrous qrip above the din.
Mr.. Winston Churchill rose and tried to
speak. but the Irish members drowned
his voice with shouts for the police. Others
stood up at intervals, but only few Of the
words they spoke were audible. Mr..
l.yttelton tried two or three times to con-
,nue his reply, but the disturbers would
not allow him. For nearly an hour the
House was bedlam, Mr.. Bafour still re-
fusing to speak to the order Of his OPP
ponents.
Campbell Bannerman managed to make
himself heard, saying: This is a question
to which nobody can reply but the Premier
himself He spoke on, but the remainder
Of what he said was inaudible.
When he sat down Mr.. Balfour arose.
whereupon comparative silence fell on,
the House. the members expecting an an
swer to Sir Henry's attack. But Mr.. Bal
fours object was merely to appeal to
Deputy Speaker Lowther, In the Speaker
absence, to ascertain whether he could
reply to Sir Henry's last utterance without
losing the right to reply on the whole de-
bate. Mr.. Lowther decided that he could
reply. and Mr.. Balfour, with the House
listening eagerly, said briefly that never
before in his experience had he known the
Opposition to think 1t their right to rule
the order in whil Ylembers OF the Govern
ment must speak He added that he under
stood that he occupied in the eyes of the
Opposition the position OF criminal in the
dock, but he had never heard Of crimina
not behag allowed to listen to the full accu-
sation against him.
A rosr Of Ministerial cheers greeted
the answer. Mr.. Lyttelton again arose,
whereupon the uproar started again. The
Irish r.embers took the lead in the din
making, apparently for no other reason
than delight in tying up business of a nom
Irish question. After the scene had lasted
another hour tho Deputy Speaker took
strong action, invoking for the i.rst time
since it was made operative the rule
enabling the Speaker in case OF grave dis
order to adjourn the House without putting
the question. This was done, and the mem
bers dispersed amid min led roars.
Although the re-raising OF the fiscal ques-
ton was transparent maneuver such as
might have been resorted to by whichever
party happened to form the Opp osition
II was framed in such a way as to enable
= charge to be brought against Mr.. Balfour
Of having broken his alleged pledge to the
effect that the fiscal question should not
be brought before the colonial conference
Will the country ldu peeu colsulteu
Amid the racket, which has not had
PRECEDENT in many years. there were anony-
nous CALCULATIONS charging Mr.. Bafour
with dishonor. 1t was this personal re-
lection on the Prime Minister'S veracity
that dictated the refusal to listen to Mr..
lyttelton.
The newspapers gravely regret the vulgar
manifestation. which they say disgraced
Parliament. Their views OF Mr.. Balfours
action vary according to their political
and fiscal predictions.