The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-01-29

(By s. W. Press Association
LONDON, Jan. 20. What pfunli aes
to be a highly important and criticaI
session of the. British parliament ths
third under the premiership q Sir
Henry OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, conyen-
ed to-day with the customary obsers
ances. The Irish question. the ednca9
tton bill Licensing old ago pensions
md the budget demands of the arny
and navy are the principal subjects
likely to come mp for considerat ana
debate during the sessions The ses.
sion was opened by King EdRafd
Large Expenditures
In the matter OF expenditures Tor
the army and navy. the econoinlssa
and the expansionists have apparent.
ly agreed upon a comprotnise, Which
will result in a retrenchment Tor the
benefit Of this years budget but witl
involve greatly Increased appropfta
,sionrnext year.. Tho panaionists ara
advocating an increase ot Oeo,0oo
pounds sterling in the naval q:
mates. to meet the German prppo
an additional million for the army
and similar increase for ed ucatipH,
involving an increase over ia8t year
of ss10,0o0OOo pounds or nearly
10000. In case the expansion plans
are carried out,a further Increaae o.
25,OOO.0OO pounds. or s125, 100000 VIII
be required next year u 4 policy Qf
retrenchment is decided on ttis Year
II must be with promise of greatlg
increased naval expenditure tof 1909
The partisan press Is already raisiug
the cry of the German bugaboo atd
popular clamor is taking 4 UP and
formidable agitation agalnst
the government.
There is a wide difference Of oniti
ion among the naval experts in reeard
to the Edgar and Boaricea types 81
cruiser and on many other plans iof
Strengthening the fleet and the eco
nomists urge this as the prtneipai rea
son for not rushing into tremendous
naval expenditures until the mooted
questions have been sitistactorlly Sc
tied.
irish Affairs PrerDlneFlt.
In the matter of Legislation Irish ae
fairs are certain to come up Tor pfo
Ionged consideration. The oppcsItlon
is threatening a detailed discus sion
of the governments Irish policy 4
such course Is decided on e WIN
likely result In many lively debate
and will place Irish Secretary IairEeli
on the defensive, with the result tlsas
he will probably be forced % male Z
definite statement Of future poiirS
The younger Nationalist ara Willing
and eager for the fray and 4 opp6f
tunity allows, win turn loose upon
parliament very food 81 cfatory
Old Age Pensions,
The subject Of old age pen siona 7ill
occupy much time, but there s hope
less disagreement among tie parlica
as to the details Of such legislatlpn,
and 1t viii likely be much too rnoders
ate and conservative to satisfy ne g.
of the Labor party; Chanel
lor Asquith has proposed that the
plan be inaugurated with q vote o.
$25.00O,00O, IN adition 70 halt that
sum put aside for the pufpose last
year. The Socialist and labor mem.
bers contend that this sum is made
quate even for a start and there Is
great difference of opinion ampng tle
parties as to how the money shonld
be applied.
The Liquor otfeskipl
The liquor question has become 4
live one in England ana L s pro
posed to introduce anSexcee dingly lras-
tic license bin, While tlle measure
does not meet an the demands q lhe
party Il Il sun IclentlS
drastic as to have aroused she organ
izeds Opposition ot al the liquor dealt
err, brewers and disttiIers d the king
dom The liquor interests are very
powegful - Easlaud and they may de-