The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-21
BaIfOur Loses Prestige With
Every Days Returns
LIBERALS ARE REOVERWHELMING
Large Labor Delegation In Parliament
VIII Have Tremendous Effect on
Future Legislation In
England.

London, January 20.-Within the last
eight days the political complexion of the
United Kingdom has been completely
changed by the tide of liberalism which
even now is higher than the most sang
uine radical dared to hope for or predict.
The new parliament will be overwhelming
ly liberal
Up to this time the total number of
members elected is 4sO, of whom 247 are
liberals, ia unionsts. 40 laborites. rs ma
tlonalists and socialist. This leaves 1870
seats still vacant.
The liberals, however, gained no less
than III seats, counting labor gains as
liberal or government gains, and If the
same proportion is kept up for the re-
naming 1870 seats, the liberals will have
4O7 votes In the next parliament to which
may be added those of AZ laborites l So
cialist and SO nationalists, which would
give Prime Minister Cambell- Bannerman
5SS votes against 1877 for the conserva-
tives.
Not at All Improbable.
While this calculation concerning the
results in the 1870 vacant seats is entirely
speculative, it is not in respect impossi-
BILE of realization, nor could it be more ex-
traordinary or startling than any of the
results declared during the last few days.
Ireland remains practically unchanged.
The nationalsts have plucked one seat
from the solid northeast corner. The
liberals have broken into the tory strong
hold Of Scotland with prospects for other
remarkable success. while, as already
AfAI g. ..F
during the last ten years have been razed
before a storm of undreamed of liberal
sentiment, or of opposition to the union
ist policy.
with the exception of Birmingham
which is completely controlled BY Joseph
Chamberlain, all the great centers have
shown a determination to change from
the old order Mr. Balfour probably VIII
remain an outsider until he is given a
chance in a by-electon, though possibly
some safe unionist seat may be relinquisbl
ed in his favor before the end of next
week.
Chamberlain Is Leader.
1t Is understood that several efforts In
this direction have been made, but with
out success. Such reports as these. 1t is
believed, are materially weakening the
prestige of the accredited leader of the
unionist party. In the absence of Mr.
Balfour, Joseph Chamberlain probably
will take the lead In the next parliament
at any rate he is now acknowledged to be
the strong man. and will be of greater
support than any other man on the bench
The most remarkable feature of the
elections thus far is the labor members
elected. The last parliament could count
but seven laborites, while up to the pres
ent no less than forty of them have Sc
cured seats, and with the promise of fur
ther gains 1t is not improbable that labor
will have a representation of fifty men,
bers in the new parliament. This un-
doubtedly will have a tremendous effect
on future legislation in England, as the
laborites are almost certain to get the
support of the home rulers in any reason
able measure introduced by them.
The elections will be over before the
end of next week. the last contest being
set for January 2S But so far as the
liberal government is concerned, its lie
can now be measured not as was predict
ed prior to elections by months or Few
years, but by the limits of the septennial
act