The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-22


to the candidate Of that party, % they
were In 1908. u IL impossible for liberal
politicians to extract q ray OF comfort
from the figures; they are ominous In
the highest degree. No less disheszten-
ing vas the election OF q Laborite on
Thursday In the Colne Valley district Of
Yorkshire, where in 1904 a Liberal war
returned without opposition. In this
case the Irish Nationalist had no can
didate Of their own, but united with the
Laborites in the support OF a Socialist.
It may be recalled that out Of the go
members returned in January and Feb
ruary, 1908, no fewer than 3s7 were Lib
erals, while 1853 were liberal Unionists.
"a Nationalist and II Independent Labor
members. That is TO say. the Liberals
alone had a majority Of lo4 ove Union
lists, Nationalists and Independent Labor
ties combined. As at the first session,
however, the Bannerman Cabinet had
the support Of Nationalist and Laborite
members, the total Ministerial majority
was 1854, an excess never before reached
or even approached since the Reform act
Of 1882 became operative, The Jarrow
by-election proves that IL can no longer
rely on the support Of either N~stionalists
or Laborites in the House OF Commons,
and as the Liberals have lost seats al
almost every ~by-election in the last year
and a half their majority has already
undergone serious shrinkage and may
near the vanishing point within the nex
eighteen months. At the mex general
election Premier BANNERMAN will be con-
fronted with a very grave situation, for
his followers cannot again count on the
votes Of Nationalists and Laborites as
they could in 1905 in every British con-
stituency where those parties put for
ward no candidates Of their own.
How can this state Of things be RENE
died? II may be supposed az first sight
that Sir HENRY CAMPBELL ANNERMAN
may regain the aid, which will be indis-
pensable, by entering into definite bar
gains whereby large concessions will be
made to the Nationalist and Liberal par
ties. There are two objections to this
course: First. both the Nationalists and
Laborites may decline again to accept
his promises, which have mo- been made
good in the present House OF Commons
TO the extent which his allies deemed
themselves justified in expecting. Even
in the event, however. that the dissatis-
faction Of Nationalists and Laborites
could be sllayed, il could only be at a
price which that section Of the Liberal
party which is headed by Lord ROSE
Berry, by Chancellor OF the Exchequer
AsoUrrH and by Secretary Of War HAL
DANE could not be prevailed upon 10
pay. All therefore that the present
Premier might achieve in one direction
by renewing the coalition with Nation
alists and Laborites he would lose in
another. for the section OF veritable Lib
erals almost certainly would be split in
twain. He is not wen sure that the Eng
lish Nonconformists would stand by him.
for they are displeased at his failure Il
introduce a second Education bill repre-
sentative Of their desires.
There is still another fact II be borne
in mind as contributing TO dsrken the
Liberal horizon, namely, that both La
bOtlbCS 0Aih aNctIotidtiStS Jul W OC
pretty well convinced that they can fish
best in troubled waters. The Unionists
have convinced the Laborites that they
are open to compromise, for their i'm
mense majority in the House Of Lords
passed the bill relieving trade unions
from liability for damages caused by
strikes. The N~ationalists, on their part,
do not forget that it is not to the Lib
erals but to the Unionists they owe the
Wyndham Land Purchase act and the
statutes investing them with large pow
ers Of local self-government in counties
and smaller territorial divisions. Also,
if the unionists should bid against the
Liberals for Laborite and Nationalist
support in British constituencies and in
the House OF Commons they would have
the great advantage Of being able to fulfil
their promises through their control OF
the House Of Lords.
II is possible, Of course, that within
the mex year or two unforeseen events
or tactical blunders on the part Of the
Unionist leaders may improve the pros
poets OF the Liberals, but for the moment
these seem almost hopeless.