The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-04
PARTIES ARE WITHOUT
HEADS IN PARLIAMENT
The Premier, Mr.. Balfour and Mr..
Chamberlain Are I'll at
Their Homes.

New York Herald Special Cable Service. Copy
right, 1906, by the New York Herald
London, March 3.-The chief topic
OF conversation just now in both po-
litical and social circles is the extraor-
binary situation which has arisen in
parliament. The responsible leaders of
both parties are away, i'll, and the bust
ness of the house Of commons is seri-
ously dislocated in consequence. Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman, Mr. Bal
four and Mr.. Chamberlain are confined
ts-sheiT respective rooms, suffering from
one form or another of colds, and the
house is being led for the meantime by
the present and past chancellors of the
exchequer, Mr.. Asquith, on the govern
ment side, and Austen Chamberlain on
the opposition.
Mr. Chamberlain is suffering from in
fuenza, but Mr.. Balfour's illness is
more serious; the strain of the vigorous
campaign in great working class con-
stituency like East Manchester, where
he delivered two, three and sometimes
four speeches day, told on him. Near
the end Of his city campaign he con-
tracted severe chill, which he has not
been able to shake off, and, on the adj
vice Of Sir E. Venning, he has decided
to remain in bed for some days,
Premier Is Ill.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman is the
oldest invalid. He was found to De
suffering from bronchial cold on Mon
| day and was ordered to keep his room.
Luckily the cold, tho severe, has re-
suited in no complications, but the
prime minister is confined strictly to his
| room.
The extraordinary situation aroused
by these simultaneous illnesses has
| caused great deal of discussion in the
Hobbies, for it has "placed the house in
| very great embarrassment to use
Mr.. Asquith s words, but the awkwardr
| ness of the situation did not prevent
the house from enjoying to the full
unique joke the other day-unique
from the man who perpetrated it.
The Leader.
Austen Chamberlain was proposing
| the adjournment of the debate on FREQ
! trade, owing to the absence of the lead
er of the opposition.
(which leader7' shouted several
ministerialists.
'sThe leader of the opposition" an
nounced Austen Chamberlain, with
heavy emphasis on the word 'the. !"
"Name, name,'' cried several.
"My right honorable friend, the
. member from West Birmingham (some
Of the new members Of the house un.
feelingl ytittering at this parliament
/ tary manner Of referring to his father,
is also, I regret to say, laid up with an
| attack Of Influenza.
"In that case," said Mr.. Asquith,
"with two right honorable gentlemen
on tie other side away, it would be like
playing Hamlet not only without the
! Prince of Denmark, but also without
the ghost"
The house laughed long at this bril-
| liant sally from minister who so rare
| ly relaxes as to make joke.
Recalls Influenza.
The only analogy to the present stu
alton in parliamentary records is the
experience during the influenza cpl
demic in March, 1895, when Lord Rose
bery's government was in power, and
Lord Rosebery, John Morley, Mr.. Bal
4 four and about twenty members of par
lament were all down with the malady