New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-13
WAR OF HOUSES OPENS.
TO LIMIT LORDS POWER.
Liberals Seem to Fear Speedy Test
The Irish Question.

between the House Of Lords and the House Of
Commons. It IS believed that the Cabinet has
not vet outlined in detail it's plan of attack. but
the speech OF Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman
indicated that it Will be aimed rather at limiting
the Lords powers Of veto than attacking tho
constitution Of the upper house.
The speech Of Mr.. Balfour plainly revealed the
hope Of the Conservatives that the struggle will
lead 10 early dissolution, as a result of which
they hope TO reverse the verdict of the country
given at the last general election. There is little
doubt. however, that the government is equally
anxious 70 avoid early dissolution the relations
Of the Labor party to the Liberals being still
strained 10 render another appeal to the country
advisable at the present time. The reluctance
Of the government in this direction is generally
attributed as the reason for the failure to pro-
mote Winston Spencer Churchill in the recent re-
arrangement of the Cabinet Mr. Churchflrs seat
at Manchester not being considered safe enough
to risk in a bye-eection.
Another noticeable feature OF the debates on
the address has been the general desire TO ex-
press British gratitude for the assistance rem
dered after the Kingston earthquake by the
American navy.
DEBATE OPENS IN THE HOUSE.
The House of Commons was crowded in all
parts when the members assembled for business
st o'clock this afternoon. and great anima-
ton was noticeable. The entry of the Premier.
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman, was greeted
with cheers from the Liberal benches.
The Speaker. James Lowther. read the speech
from the throne The reference to the aid rem
dered by the American navy at Kingston
welcomed with q loud outbiIrst Of applause.
The mention Of the differences between the
House of Commons and the House Of Lords was
also cheered.
Debate on the address IN reply to the speech
from the throne then began. It will last for
several days. after which the Premier is X
pected TO unfold definite plans for dealing with
the House Of Lords
In the course Of the debate A. J. Balfour,
former Premier the Opposition leader, referring
70 the Irish question. said that Mr. Bryce the
former Chief Secretary for Ireland. and now
Ambassador to the United States. had held
pistol 10 the heads Of every one concerned in
the matter. He had shouted undying chal-
lenge at the top OF his voice, and then had nailed
his colors to somebody else's mast
Mr.. Balfour also commented with surprise at
the absence from the Kings speech OF any ref
erence 20 the colonial conference. saying that
the matter would be raised in the debate on the
address.
Turning 20 the relations between the two
houses, Mr. Ralfour said that what he called
"hIllng the cup" against the House of Lords
would, he felt assured. fill to overfowing the
cup OF unpopularity Of the government and
lead the country 70 desire 2 change not in the
House Of Lords but in the House Of Commons.
He agreed that in the long run the people
should decide what should be the laws under
which they were 10 live.
PREMIER REPLIES TO MR. BALFOUR.
The Premier Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman,
IN reply said that the government had only
followed the precedent set by Mr.. Balfour in
not mentioning the colonial conference in the
Kings speech. The question Of the differences
between the two houses Of Parliament wss the
chief matter. TWO important measures de-
randed by the country and passed after infinite
patience by the House of Commons had been
destroyed by the House Of Lords. The latter
were watchdogs. who. after a period of pro-
longed somnolence were now full Of bitter
ferocity. The readJustment of the constitu-
tional machinery would be of real service 10 the
country.
The Premier. amid loud cheers, announced
that the question Of the House Of Lords must
be settled. The present situation was discredit
able dangerous and demOralizing, but he was
not sure that when they got TO closer quarters
with the question II might not prove easier Of
solution than # now appeared to be They must
have read1ustment of the relations between the
TWO houses. as to enable them TO carry out
in reasonable harmony the wishes Of the people,
and to this the attention Of the House Of Com
mons would be directed in due time
Turning 10 Ireland. the Premier pointed out
that they could not Immediately enter upon
larger policy. but they must first the
most Objectionable features in such way as TO
be consistent with the adoption Of that policy
John E Redmond, the Irish leader. said he
regarded the government absolutely pledged
20 deal with the Irish question at this session of
Parliament and on lines representing complete
Belf-government.
THE SESSION OF THE LORDS.
On the resumption of the sitting Of the House
OF Lords. Lord Castletown. Liberal, moved the
address in reply 10 the Kings speech. and in so
doing praised the assistance rendered by the
American navy to the sufferers at Kingston. He
also said that IT was necessary to change the
machinery Of the House of Lords. which at
present gave the house a preponderance Of
Tories.
Regarding ireland, Lord Castletown declared
that what was proposed was evolution rather
than devolution. After a hundred years of
union It was proposed 10 adopt administrative
reforms long overdue, TO rescue the Irish system
from chaos. Irelands appeal for financial JUS
tice had failed but separation was unthinkable
and impossible
Lord Lansdowne, Liberal Unionist former
Foreign Secretary. said that the opposition was
left IN entire ignorance to the direction in
which a solution for the present relations be-
tween the House Of Lords and the House of
Commons was TO be sought. Did the govern
ment want 10 make the upper house stronger
and more efficient, degrade IT 10 Il mere de-
batting society II deeply rooted in the
public mind that whatever dangers might be ap-