New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-10
MOVE TO CURB PEERS.
PRElTIER'S PLANS MADE.
Measures Prepared to Subordinate
Lords to Commons.

London. Feb 9.-The reassenbling of Parlia-
here. as the government intends Immediately to
bring in measures 10 check the powers Of the
House OF Lords making It subordinate to the
win Of the people, as represented by the House
of Commons This is nothing less than a revo-
luton in the present constitutional methods. and
foreshadows a bitter contest between the two
houses, with the government already prepared
for dissolution and an appeal to the country
on the question OF the necessity OF curbing the
power representing the aristocracy IN the inter-
est OF the democracy.
Recent councils of the ministers have deter
mined the main lines Of the governments &C
ton which is expected to begin with the intro
duction Of a resolution laying down the IN
alienable rights Of the House OF Commons. a
similar movement was carried out in the sew
entcenth century which the right Of the
Commons TO control money matters was based.
This action VIII be merely preliminary TO series
OF measures by which the Premier. Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman. intends 70 frame clear
issue against the Lords and then appeal to the
people on IT, The governments determination
to make the fight now IS due 70 the defeat Of
the Education bill by the upper house and
the prospective defeat OF all other features Of
the standing ministerial programme.
Seldom has a speech from the Throne been
awaited with such eager interest. It is asserted
that the ministry has induced the Crown to
make alIuson 20 the constitutional deadlock
between the Lords and Commons whether
King Edward is ready 10 take such significant
action s open 10 doubt Formerly a forecast Of
Ia rr,,-
fore the opening Of the session OF Parliament.
but the King now insists on strict secrecy. so
nothing win be definitely known until the speech
is delivered. 1t VIII doubtless refer to the long
list Of pending Parliamentary measures but
public attention is entirely directed to the
struggle between the Lords and Commons and
It is probable that any reference which his mai
esty may make on the subject Of the House Of
Lords viii be couched IN moderate, uncontro-
verslal language, because the speech IS ad-
dressed TO both houses
a government resolution challenging the pow
Of the House of Lords can have little effect
in itself, MS the Lords powers remain despite
resolutions but the passage Of such resolution
Is designed to be the keynote to the ministerial
plans. These VIII consist chiefly OF sending 70
the Lords number OF popular measures. includ-
ing drastic land bill affecting the estates of
peers and other members Of the aristocracy.
These measures TO be rejected by the
House of Lords, thus giving the government the
opportunity to appeal to the country. Members
Of the ministry openly discuss these plans ana
predict several dissolutons before a reform of
the House of Lords can become effective.
The Irish question is also likely to come up
at the session. as the government Is about ready
TO submit its reform measure. Although the
terms arc withheld, 1t Is believed that It will
follow the lines of the Devolution bill giving
Ireland certain amount of authority to frame
measures relating 10 her own interests, subject
TO the supervision of the imperial authorities.
Timothy NJ, Healy and other Irish leaders do
not expect immediate results owing To the op-
position Of the House of Lords and other OBJ
stacIes.
The presence of the King, Queen and princes
at the gorgeous court ceremony will lend spec
tacular interest to the opening of Parliament.
The royal procession will consist of six state
coaches containing the lords and ladies' in
waiting the keeper of the prvy purse and th6
coach drawn by eight cream colored horses.
Elaborate preparations are being made for the
street pageant ana the ceremony in the House
Of Peers where King Edward. robed in crimson
velvet, edged with ermine, and surrounded by
brilliant throng. viii read the speech from the
throne
King Edward and Queen Alexandra returned
10 London this evening from Paris.