Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21
ELECTIONS IN ENGLAND
Political Complexion of United
Kingdom Changed.
A TIDE OF LIBERALISM
Resume of the Returns of the Past
Week.
III SEATS FOR THE LIBERALS
Ireland's Representation Remains
Practically Observation-Disclosures
lain to Take Balfour's Place.

LONDON, January 20.-Withln 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 sanguine
radical dared to hope for or predict. The
new parliament will be Overwhelmingly lib
eral.
Up to this time the total number of men,
bers elected is $50, of whom 247 are lib
erals, la unionists, 40 laborites, IS nation
alists and l socialist. This leaves 100 seats
still vacant
The liberals thus far have gained no less
than III seats, counting labor gains as lib
eral or government gains: and If the same
proportion is kept up for the remaining 1870
seats the liberals will have 4O7 votes in the
next parliament, to which may be added
those of ~ laborites. socialist and So ma
tionalists, which would give Prime Minister
Campbell Zimmerman 533 votes against 1877
for the conservatives.
While this calculation concerning the re-
suits in the 100 vacant seats is entirely
speculative, it Is not in any respect i'm
possible of realization. nor could it be more
extraordinary or startling than any of the
results declared during the last few days.
The Irish Delegation.
Ireland remains practically unchanged.
The nationalist have plucked one seat
from the solid northeast corner. The lib
erals have broken into the tory strong
hold of Scotland, with prospects for other
remarkable successes, while, already
noted, the great fortresses of unionism dur
ing the last ten years have been RACED be-
fore storm of undreamed-of liberal senti-
ment or of opposition to the unonist policy.
With the exception of Birmingham,
which is completely controlled by Joseph
ha a
shown a determination to change from
the old order. Mr.. Balfour will probably
remain an outsider until he is given a
chance in a by-election though possibly
some safe unionist seat may be reln-
pushed in his favor before the end of
next week 1t is understood that several
efforts in this direction have been made,
but without success. Such reports as
these, it is believed, are materially weak
ening the prestige of the accredited lead
er of the unfoniSt party.
Chamberlain for Leader.
In the absence of MIR 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 have the greatest support of any
man on the opposition benches.
The most remarkable feature of the
elections thus far is the labor members
elected. The last parliament could claim
but seven laborite members, while up TO
the present no less than forty of them
have secured seats. and with the promise
OF further gains, it is not at all improb-
able that labor will have a representa-
uon OF fifty members in the new parlia-
ment. This undoubtedly would have a
tremendous effect on future legislation in
England. as the iaborites are almost Ger
tain to get the support of the home rulers
in any reasonable measure introduced by
them.
One of the most prominent politicians in
England said to the Associated Press TO-
day:
An Irish Parliament Predicted.
sit is useless TO minimize the present rev.
olution, and We might as we'll begin TO take
a new view of the situation. In my opinion
a parliament sitting at Dublin may be look
ed for within the next two years. Assured
ly John Redmond, leader of the nationalist
party, and Prime Minister Campbell Ban
herman have reached a working agree
mept, and 1t is uncomfortable that Mr.. Red
mond would be content with anything less
than an Irish parliament.
Il have no idea that such a parliament
would mean separation, and have good rea-
sons to believe that plan is now under
consideration by which the religious ques-
ton can be eliminated from the deIibera-
tons OF such parliament, which would
act under the Imperial parliament and a
least try the experiment of administering
Irish affairs under the conditions which
have changed in the last century,
The elections will be over before the end
of next week. the last contest being set for
January 26. But so far as the liberal gov
eminent is concerned lis life can now he
measured. not as was predicted prior to the
elections, by months few years, but by
the limitations of the SepteuniaI act