New-York tribune., 1908-05-10
ASQUITH MASTERFUL
BUT JUGGLE Is SEEN.
Tni0n;st Return to Po1rer to ACeTt
Financial Disaster Expected.
rz,.o,., h. French Cable 70 The Tribune J

1905, by The Tribune Asscci7'lph-i
London May 9-Mr. Asquith has shown con-
.-.,cir- evidence that he is a nnasterful Prime
Minister. who knows his own mind and forces
his colleagues TO let him have his own way
He has triumphed relentlessly in the debates on
the licensing bill and the budget, and With MT
RaIfour disabled there has been nobody on the
opposition side to challenge his supremacy He
has rivaIled the Grand Old Man himself IN his
lucidity and argumentative subtlety. but like
him at the close of the great reform admlnistra-
ZION Of 1874, he leads party which is exhausted
by legislative activities and out OF touch with
bewdered electorate.
While il is A brilliant feat TO produce the pen
sion system after an unprecedented record debt
paying without the levying Of new taxes and
without retaining than iIalf Of the sugar
duties il is a jugge that does not deceive the
free traders. They know that he has hope
lessly mortgaged their cause 10 socialism and
rendered a higher tariff along MI ChahoeT-
lain's lines inevitable.
The Spectator which ably represents the
Cnionist free traders and the Moderate Lio-
erals repudiates Mr. Asquitfis financial and So
cial reforms. II perceives that he has increased
the national expenditures by f6.ooNotO sterling
and has not provided any fresh sources or revenue
while deliberately giving up half OF the sugar
duties one of the most convenient and economical
methods OF indirect taxation. and II opposes the
pension system plan for discourag1ng the
working classes from making adequate provision
for old age.
These views without doubt are shared by the
conservative. thoughtful men OF both parties
Mr Lloyd-George cannot depend upon an auto
rnatic increase in the revenues next year nor
Hnd money for strengthening the navy and
financing pensions without increasing the press
ure of income taxation and death duties ana
rs!diug the sinking fund. a higher tariff will
be necessary and the Unionist party will return
so power to avert financial disaster.
The pension system itself. while barely more
shan a makeshift for providing in another way
FOR pensioners of the poor law administration.
exposes the nation TO tremendous liabilities in
the future. with the cumulative force of fresh
demands from the working classes and the
two main parties competing for popular sup
port II is the sequel 10 the lax. improV1dent
administration of the poor law for the last nan
century and offers striking contrast to the
German system of triple insurance against acct-
dents sickness. permanent disability and old
ege nv which thrift is encouraged and pauper-
ism minirnized.
Dundee is the first constituency ~ pass judg-
.nent upon the momentous changes in financial
and social policy ordered this week There are
Sc many cross currents and local industrial
solrces of disturbance that the result is not
clear and decisive. Mr.. Churchflls predecessor.
Edmund Robertson was candidate of great
local popularity whose poll could not be Tivai!ec
Mr. Stuart, the Labor candidate. was not re-
rsried as equal in any respect TO Mr. Nllkle IN
rav-ing power and Sir George Baxter was the
hest man whom the TJnionists have put up in
Dundee in 2 long time The decline in voting
power in this stronghold of Scottish Liberalism
might naturally have been expected Additional
elections with clearer issues must be awaited
before the temper Of the working classes toward
the governments methods of adapting the ex-
hausted resources Of free trade finances 10 So
cial reform can be known and the increasing
trend of public opinion toward tariff reform un-
bly, revealed. The electorate and the
ministers are making history these days, hand
oger hand. n F