Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-02
BUDGET FIGHT UP TO VOTERS
Rejection by Lords to Be Followed by
Propagation of Commons.
STRUGGLE TO BEGIN AT ONCE
Premier Asauith VIII Present Motion
In Lower House Protesting
Against UsurPation of
Power by Peers.

LONDON, Dec. 1.-Premier Asuuith an
nounced in the House Of Commons that
tomorrow he would move a resolution that
the action Of ne house of Lords in re-
fusing to pass into law the financial pro-
visions made by the lower chamber for
the expenses Of the year were a breach
OF the constitution and an usurpation
OF the rights Of the House Of Commons.
When the premier entered the chamber
this afternoon, the supporters of the gov
eminent rose to their feet and greeted
MIN with ringing cheers. Immediately fol-
lowing the conclusion of routine business
the prime minister took the floor. As
soon as he concluded the house adjourned.
In introducing his resolution tomorrow
Premier Asquith will go exhaustively into
the question Of the respective privileges
OF the House Of Lords and the House of
Commons and state in detail the govern
ment's intentions. He also will fix the
DAY OF Propagation, which probably will
he next Friday.
Former Premier Balfour, leader of the
opposition in the commons will reply set
ting forth the view that the new and
Important Departures in public policy repre-
scented by the budget bill should be sub
mitted 70 the people. John Redmond, head
OF the Irish party, and possibly one repre-
sentative Of the labor party will follow
with. speeches.
Crisis Developing Rapidly
The political crisis caused by the unpre-
cedented action of the House of Lords in
refusing its consent to the governments
budget is developing rapidly.
The cabinet, which had already deter
mined on the policy it would pursue in the
event Of Lord Lansdowne's amendment
being carried, had an unusually early meet
ing today to confirm its decision and con-
slider the wording Of the motion which Pre-
mier Asquith will ask the House Of Com
mons to adopt
All the members of the cabinet were pres
ent at the meeting, which excited so much
popular interest that a great crowd gath
cred in the vicinity of No. 10 Downing
street, the official residence Of the pre-
mier.
The fact that there was not a remote
possibility even that the crowd would learn
what transpired within did not discourage
the throng in the street, whose numbers
became so great finally that a large force
Of police was m to prevent a pos
sible demonstration
The ministers passed through the street
to the premiere residence undisturbed by
s~uffragettes and encouraged by the cheers
of their supporters.
Propagation VIII Come Soon.
The time Of the delivery of the speech
of propagation, the substance of which was
decided on at yesterdays meeting of the
cabinet, will depend on the time occupied
for debate on the premier's motion. which
commences tomorrow. 1t is expected,
however. that this discussion will be brief,
the speeches, by p-rearrangement, being
confined to the leaders of the unionists,
liberal, labor and Irish parties.
Parliament will be proTogued doubtless
until the middle of January, but the choice
OF a date is a mere formality as the pres
ent house comes to an end by dissolution
early in the year.
The election campaign will open in earn
est on Friday. when David Lloyd-George,
chancellor to the exchequer, and Winston
Spencer Churchhill, president Of the board
of trade, who are held chiefly responsible
for the budget, and Lord Lansdowne and
J. Austen Chamberlain, the most ardent
opponents of the governments measure will
deliver speeches and, with the exception
of a brief respite at Christmas, viii con-
tInue the fight until election day.
Struggle a Notable One.
In many respects the impending struggle
win be the most interesting in the parli-
mentary history of England. Some Of the
peers have decided to take the unusual
course of stamping the country to explain
their action in voting against the budget.
This course is believed by many of the
lords to be imperative following the
critism which fell from the lips OF some
of the staunchest of the unionists during
the recent debate.
L'oyd-George, Churchill and other radicals
can be depended upon for fighting speeches
in favor OF the budget and against the
lords, while Sir Edward Grey, foreign
minister; Richard Burden Haldane, min
lister of war and other ministers will
supply more moderate ammunition and
free trade arguments. The unionists, al
though not so well equipped with orators.
are determined upon a stern campaign.
They will devote their energies to the
exposition Of tariff reform and a denuncia-
ton of socialism, towards which they will
claim the budget is a first step.
The s-uffragettes, too, who have been
comparatively quiet for a time, have been
on-y reserving their resources for a crucial
effort.
The laborites, all strong supporters Of the
budget win meet tomorrow to arrange their
campaign and efforts are being made, and
with some success, to prevent q three
cornered contest.
As a part of this program the laborites
are Withdrawing their candidates from
those districts where the liberals have
the better chance Of success. while the
liberals are doing a similar service for the
labor party. where the latter is stronger.
The election in Ireland win be the most
interesting since 1856. The unionists have
decided to contest most Of the nationliBts
seats with the idea Of depicting the nation
alist treasury.