Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-05

MILITARY PROGRAM CENsURED

Great Britain's new liberal par
lament adjourned yesterday with
the browning glory of having &C
complished something. Many OF
the measures promised in the kings
opening address to the parliamenta-
rians were disposed of in manner
acceptable to the British public at
large, and especially his majesy
The land question bills are sweep
ing in character, and will be hotly
contested by the unionists.
LONDON. August I'll nothing sensa-
tional was achieved or no great regulations
were won or lost. the new liberal parlia-
ment. which adjourned today. distinguished
itself AZ working parliament. and the
ministers have every reason to be satisfied
with the solid amount of legislation done
during their first session. This was largely
a result Of the reformed rules of procedure
adopted early In the session, which proved
invaluable from a time-savtng viewpoint
Besides passing the principal measure be-
fore 1.-THE education bill-almost all the
measures promised in the kings opening
speech either were passed or reached an
advanced stage in COMMITTEES, which will
allow of their being finished at the autumn
session, when the government will propose
to appropriate all the time of the house to
government business
The Irish laborer cottages bill. the CO.
lonial marriages bill. T. p O'Connor's mu-
steal copyright bill and large number of
minor bills were passed, and the trades
disputes bill, the workmen's compensation
bill and the merchant shipping bill are all
in an advanced condition
Thus the government was not in the po-
sition. so often seen In recent years, of be-
ing forced at the last moment TO throw
overheard important measures promised at
the beginning of the session
Land Question Bills.
The Scotch crofters' bill which with the
Irish laborers' cottages bill, will probably
form the basis for eventually dealing with
the land question in ireland also, was only
it is. hardly likely that 1t will be proceeded
with further until 1907. 1t goes to greater
lengths in the reform of land legislation
than even the Irish bills and will be keenly
contested by the unionists.
The feature commanding interest in the
autumn session will be the struggle just
opened between the house of lords and the
house of commons over the educati ton bill,
and 1t may prove a historic struggle. for
Lord I.ansdowne, Lord Halsbury and other
Il H.. l..
out the bill on its third reading if the house
OF commons declines to accept the amend
ents made to it in the house of lords.
Naval and Military Program.
The governments naval and military pro-
gram has come in for much diverse opinion
and strong criticism, but much credit is
given the ministers for their able handling
of the difficult subjects
Perhaps the men who have obtained the
greatest prominence I'm the public eye dur
Spencer Churchill under secretary for the
colonies. and Augustine Birrel4. president
of he board of education Mr.. Birrell es-
pecially displayed unexpected qualities Of
parliamentary ability.
AS was anticipated, the governments
enormous ma ority during the session did
not show great cohesion. and several times
was reduced to dangerous proportions
through the attitude of the labor section.
and the disposition to divide itself into
groups still remains one of the greatest
dangers threatening the existence of the
ministry.