Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-15
LIBERALS DISUNITED
BALFOUR CABINET EXPECTED TO
REMAIN IN POWER.
Governments Policy Attacked in the
House-Fremier Replied - Lans-
downe's Address to Lords.

Inc HIST gay proceedings III phii'f''hSiiS
at London yesterday left rather decided
impression in the Hobbies that the govern
n.ent will manage to hold out till the end Of
the session. The governments legislative
program which is devoted in the main to
social reforms. will be fairly popular, while
the avoidance OF difficult questions like that
of the redistribution of seats and Premier
Ralfour's firmness in thrustng aside the
fiscal problem all will tend in the same d.
rection.
On the other hand, the liberals appear to
be as distant as ever from any approach to
unanimity on the vexed question of the
leadership. Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-
man, Earl Spencer, Herbert Henry Asquth
and Sir Henry Hartley Fowler all are
spoken of possible leaders of the next
liberal ministry. to say nothing OF Lord
RoSeberys even superior claim to that posi-
ton, should he be inclined to assert his I'M
doubted influence. Everything will depend
upon Mr.. BalfOur's success in holding his
followers together and overcoming the
apathy born of the knowledge that the
whole country Is looking for and expecting
a general election.
Irish Detection Threatened.
The position of Sir Antony mcdonnell,
under secretary for Ireland, in the unionist
councils threatens to bring a storm about
the governments head. Mcdonnell Is cred
tied with being responsible for Secretary
Wyndham's more liberal policy toward Ire
land, and is accordingly hated by the Ulster
section of the Irish unonists. who, led by
Sir Edward Carson, are doing their best to
overthrow him.
At meeting of the Irish unionists yester-
day a resolution was adopted openly censur-
ing Mr. Wyndham for Indicating his posi-
ton and responsibility in favor Of a subor-
dnate official with policy of his own, d.
rected to destroying the basis Of Irish union
ISM and protesting against the govern
ment permitting such an abuse OF power. IL
is understood that Premier BalfOur hitherto
has supported Secretary Wyndham and
mcdonnell, but the matter appears to be
assuming a serious phase, involving the de-
lection of many Irish unionists.
Debate in the Commons.
In the house of commons w. A. Mount
conservative moved and Samuel Rob-
erts conservative seconded the address
in reply to the kings speech.
The first division approaching party lines
occurred In the house of commons when
Mr.. Dalziel QiberaD moved that the house
censure Lord Arlington for breach OF pr1vi-
leges by his action in the North Dorset
election. Premier Balfour said nothing
could be gained by continuing the discus
sion, and moved the previous question:
which was carried by 257 to 191 votes.
Sir Henry Tic Aip-
eral leader in the house, spoke at great
length, attacking the governments policy
in Tibet and South Africa, and, in fact, at
all points.
Premier Balfour last night replied to Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman. Mr.. Balfour
justified the governments action in Tibet,
said it was the ministry's earnest desire to
maintain the friendliest relations with Al
ghanistan, and that negotiations to that
end were proceeding satisfactorily; touched
on Chinese labor In South Africa, and re-
peated Lord Lansdowne's announcement
with regard to the future of the South
African colonies. He also defended the
sugar convention.
Fiscal Problem Thrust Aside.
Replying to Sir Henry Campbell Banner
mans assertion that the government was
too feeble to carry out an effective policy,
Mr. Balfour said the decision lay entirely
with the house of commons whether 1t
could effectively carry out the mandate of
the people and the duties intrusted to 1t by
the sovereign. Mr.. Balfour protested
against bringing the fiscal question before
this parliament and said 1t was entirely ir-
relevant. He was unable he said. to make
his position clearer than he already had
done He tainted the opposition on the
existing confusion concerning its future
In conclusion Premier Balfour said Sir.
Henry Campbell-Bannerman's attack In
some particulars, especially where he at
tributed improper motives to Mr.. Lee the
civil lord of the admiralty, in his recent
Eastleigh speech, was most unnecessary
and ungenerous.
Intervention Impossible.
Foreign Secretary Lansdowne expressed
his sorrow and concern at the continuance
of the war in the far east. and said that
should an opportunity for bringing it to
a close present itself the government would
avail itself thereof with alacrity, but an
attempt at Intervention now would mean
retarding the very object desired. Great
Britain had endeavored not unsuccessfully
to maintain the strictest neutrality.
Referring to the North sea incident, Lord
Lansdowne said that once, and only once,
were they near being drawn into the vortex
Of the war. He need hardly say that 1t
arose in connection with the North sea in
cident to which he only referred because
he desired to acknowledge the kindly re-
marks of Earl Spencer, who had congratu-
lated the government on its conduct of the
negotiations following the Dogger Bank
affair.
Lord Lansdowne said there was con-
sensus of opinion among the powers in
favor of drastic reforms and scheme
would be proposed which he hoped would
meet with sympathetic criticism. The trou-
bles in Macedonia were not merely a case
Of Turkish mismana cement, which might
be ended by a stroke Of the pen, but the
conditions in Macedonia were not equaled
anywhere in the civilized world at this mo-
ment. Russia and Austria, upon whom the
powers conferred a mandate to deal with
the Macedonia problem, have put forward
a new scheme of reform, which is under
discussion The British government was
satisfied that it marks considerable step
in advance.
South African Program.
In regard to South Africa, the foreign
secretary said that the government was
prepared to give the Transvaal first and
the other colonies later not self-govern-
ment, but representative institutions.
Touching upon the Tibet expedition, Lord
Lansdowne said that the attitude Of the
government toward Tibet had been abso-
lutely consistent. Col. Younghusband, the
British political agent who headed the mis-
sion, had transgressed his instructions when
he arranged for British forces to remain in
the Chumbi district for seventy-fve years.
and this action had been repudiated by his
majestys government.
In conclusion. Foreign Secretary Lans-
downe referred to the redistribution bill.
which, he said. could not be passed at the
present session. He twitted the opposition
on It's haste to turn out the government
and repudiated the idea of Earl Spencer
that the government would be found occu-
pying the opposition benches next year. Il
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