The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-03-11

If coming events cast their shadows
before, the divisions taken in the Brit
ish House of Commons since it opened
a little more than week ago, indicate
that the present Tory government has
almost gone the full length Of it's teth-
er, and that it's doom is sealed, says
John O'Callaghan in the Irish World.
The Balfour government has afford
ed perhaps the best example of dry rot
within a party of any British govern
ment which has existed for at least
generation. Elected in October, 1900,
with majority of 152, and coming
into Office second time OH the crest
of a wave of popular feeling engen-
dered by the Boer war, it seemed as
if the Tories were assured of contin-
nance of power for fifteen years at
least
They had the additional advantage
of being confronted by weak and
vacillating Liberal opposition, no two
of whose leaders could agree on any
given topic, lately bereft of the leader
who had inspired them for more than
thirty years, and without bold or
intrepid lieutenant who could fill his
place.
The Irish party, too, had but just re-
united after decade of divided coun-
sells, and with the national sentiment
of the country discouraged and dis
heartened because of radical differ
ences between old and we'll tried
friends, indeed there were not wanting
prophets who foretold that it would
be impossible for any man to hold to-
gether for any length of time, or for
effective work. the elements that had
50 long been actively hostile to each
other in the Irish party.
That the prediction has been falsided
is now apparent to every observer of
the Irish situation. Not only has Mr..
John Redmond succeeded in keeping
the Irish party together, but in solidi-
flying it as it has not been for many
years. in maintaining and strengthen
ing the national organization through
out the country and in organizing the
Irish vote in England until it is in
better position to take advantage of
the weakness of the English parties at
the approaching general election than
it was even in Parnell's time.
The result is seen in the divisions
which have taken place in the House
of Commons during the past week,
foreshadowing beyond question the
early fall of the government. 1t is ex-
tremely unlikely that it can now hold
on even until the introduction of the
budget which will come toward the
end of March. and indeed its defeat
and resignation may he forced at any
hour.
Starting off in October, 1900. with
All members out of house of 60, it's
majority of 152 has since been reduced
to 81, the majority with which it met
parliament last week at the opening
of it's fifth session. That is, it has lost
65 seats since the election of 1900,
counting 100 on division.
But the divisions which have taken
place since the opening of the session
have proved that not even it's normal
majority can any longer he counted
OH by the government. even on the
Irish question. In the first division of
the session, taken on the fiscal amend
nlent of Mr.. Asquith. the government
majority was cut to 60.
But more emphatic still was the re-
buke to the government conveyed in
the amendment moved by John Red
mond, which, according to the cable
dispatches, twas an uncompromising
demand for home rule" The fact that
the government in very full house,
500 members voting, could muster a
majority of only 50 against the motion,
indicates that the government is on it's
last legs and that the carrying of a
home rule measure through the Brit
fsh parliament is not the impossible
feat that the opponents of the Irish
cause have been contending it is.
When government elected by