New-York tribune., 1909-11-28
BRITAIN'S CANVASS
PROGRAMME READY.
Liberals Uniting for Coming
Struggle at Polls.
rBy Frenoh cable . The TrFbune }


IBy French cable q The Tribune
London Nov. 27.-Everything on the
political stage is advertised in advance
as conspicuOusly ss a new play. a revo-
hutton may be plotted by the extremists
OF both houses, but there are no secrets.
Everybody knows What viii happen next
week. Lord Lansdowne's molten sus-
pending The acuon OF the finance bin
will be passed on Tuesday. and by Thurs
day OF Friday the Commons viii have
carried their remonstrance against the
unconstitutional action OF the Lords and
Parliament viii have been prorogued OF
sdjourned TN January. The canvass
against the Lords will be opened in the
following week in London and Lanca-
shire and TIE interference OF the PrlHl-
legged House with the control Of the rep
resentstive chamber over finance viii
be the main theme on a thousand Lib
srsl platforms during the next six weeks
There are optimists in the club chairs
who sre still looking for miracle or
grace ST the last moment FOR arresting
q conflict between the two houses Ex-
per.snced observers agree that the Lords
have gone too far 10 retreat, and that
the ministers have not the slightest de-
sire 70 conciliate them. Apparently the
chances Of settlement disappeared when
fhe royal peacemaker failed TO induce
Premier Asquith TO agree 10 guarantee
an election IN January if the Lords were
20 sanction the budget. and when also
Mr. Balfour and Lord Lansdowne de-
clined 10 allow the government 10 go on
for another year. with the probability
rhsS ths Chancellor Of the Excl.equer
would be able 10 remit the duties on
sugar and tea ana start q system OF
Vvorkmen's sickness and unemployment
funds
The most diverse opinions are held re-
specting the coRssq GeRces OF the action
az the Lords in bringing on the crisis
One of the best informed men in Parlia-
rnent tells me that the Liberal Cabinet,
which was falling 10 pieces has been
reunited; that the party is running over
with lighting spirit, and that, with the
new constitutional question 20 discuss.
victory is certain by a majority OF be-
tween 100 and 300 over the UnIonists
snd Nauonalists. One Of the principal
organizers on the Conservative side in
forms me that the debate in the Lords
has enormously improved the chances OF
the Opposition. that the masses cannot
Re interested in an abstract question re-
lsting 70 the rights os tie tWo houses.
and that III. Balfour VIII obtain a ma
5ority Of 20 or 80 over az factions on
the simple issue OF changing the fiscal
system supplying the unemployed with
work and reducing the direct burdens OF
the taxpayers.
Equally conflicting are the views OF
partlsans respecting the fate OF the
House or Lords Radicals tell me that
The Lords VIII be deprived Of the power
- suspensire veto on finance and gen
eral legislation, and either wiz be re-
formed by the hostile popular chamber
CT abolished altogether course which
the more advanced members Of the. Cab
met are already said 10 favor. Well in
formed Conservatives, on the other hand.
sssert that the Lords have the people
hehind them, and that their unusual ac-
lion VIII be cOEdoneG because they are
delivering the nation from ruinous con-
ditions 81 finance. These prophets aa-
nit that Mr. Balfour's first work. if he
returns 10 power, VIII be the reconstitu-
lion Of the House OF Lords on the lines
OF Lord Rosebery's report, but they af-
firm that the high standard Of this
weeks debate has deeply impressed the
country and that conditions have
changed since 1892 when the privileged
House was conspicuous for ineptitude.
Their argument IL that tire Lords are
now relatively stronger and the Com
mons weaker than they were then since
che House has been improved by fresh
blood and the other has been degraded
end vulgsrized by contact with democ-
racy.
While the tactics % the Lords have
been bad, The ministers have taken q
strong line and are making a bold hid
for complete victory. They are stand
ing for the supremacy Of the representa-
tiNe House over finance and the govern
rnent % the day; they are neither mimi
filzlhg The financial difficulties nor pro-
Tosing any compromise: they are clos
ing the'r ranks by making d working
coalition with the Labor party. starting
with the agreement regarding Wales
sno are striving 10 reduce largely The
eAnloer Of three-cornered contests. in The
Rnainoer OF the Kingdom.
With the Budget League well sunnlie5
With money, there VII be a great can
Nsss for the supremacy Of a democrat,
Commons. The Unionists Will 6pbt ,ri,t,
eqoal' determination against socislistic
nnance- The member for West BirmIne-
nam Is confident that tariff reform IS
coming IN with a tremendous surge az
popular approval, ana so II may II the
masses are not interested IN q oonstitu-
honai struggle over the hrst principles
Of representative institutions