New-York tribune., 1907-08-25
POLITICAL SHAM FIGHT.
No Real Conflict IN Parliament Until
Labor Measure Is Defeated.
Especial by French Gable to The ]Tribune.o
Copyright. 1907. by The Tribune Association)


London. Aug. 24-The political manoeuvres in
Parliament are little better than sham fight
with blank cartridge firing on both sides. While
the Lords killed two bills last year and are
likely to repeat the performance at this session,
there cannot be a real conflict between the
houses until some important labor measure IS
thrown out. The tactical advantages are divided
fairly evenly and the dull session is ending
without q decisive gain on either side The gov
ernnent has prevented divisions between the
highlands and the 1owlands, and Will nave
some ammunition for random shots at the Loius'
If the Scottish bill dealing with land Values oo
rejected next week the Lords will have tile SAT
isfaction of wrecking two more measures anu
taunting the Prime Minister with hourishine
pistol which he cannot load. 1t lis neither pili-
liant tactics nor large politics. even II Loro Lon
donderry considers the situation so serious thaI
he deserts the house party at Wynyaro Fai y
and the Stockton races in order to atteho tiio
debates. Only two members nave na'eiie'A''
strengthened their reputation during the pro-
Ionged session. They are Lord CreWe' VINO mas
become an effective debater. and Mr. Harcourt'
who now seems likely to play great part III
politics if his rather delicate health holds out
Parliament, when prorogued. will empty out
into Scotland the Prime Minister and Mr. AS
auth leading the way. and Sir Edward Grey and
Mr. BaIfour halting the border for fshiHs
and golf. John Burns will keep up MS repu'a-
ton as working minister by spending ms Vaca
ton in Germany in special investigation VI
social questions. Mr.. Haldane seems TO nav
convinced him that the problems Win "iiiei.
ministers are idly playing mere nave
| u,orped ont there without pauperizing or oe-
uoralizing the masses. Winston Churchiii -
| oon,,,atelv tagged and needs prolonged outing
which the Colonial Office has arranged 1of HIN
IN equatorial Africa ,.,.,,
The onlv question in the closing depateS VIZ"
interests the public is the marriage win
deceased wife's sister. This is iegahLeu Of - 80
tor tba kingdom as previously it had been ioi
-. oo,ories The attempt OF the bishops TO pro-
bfbf cIergymen from performing such MAJ
aae and m restrict them to the registers ONCE
ma. ,nenired bv Lord Hugh Cecirs frenzied pro-
fest against polluting the temple as well as tiie
bo-oa Parliament has declined TO SURRENDER
control over the Church. which remains estao
lished by canon laws. TWO convocauohs WIN
now have to be amended TO conform to the act
Of Parliament.
An Englishnan can marry a deceased wife s
sister in a parish church. but widow cannot DC
married to a brother-in-law either there or al d
registers Office Possibly this Will be magnifled
into a grievance by the woman suffrage zeaiots'
because a wdower gets an advantage over
widow One aggrieved woman has already pro-
claimed her indignation in "The Times put
+bere Is no other sign that the protracted agi-
tation over the deceased wife's sister VIII De
followed by widows movement Lord James
has rendered invaluable service TO the Anglican
Church by an eloquent protest against the cleri-
cal idea that conscience is violated by the mar
riage law approved by an overwhelming ma
iority OF Parliament. l. N r