New-York tribune., 1909-09-19
BALf0UR THE ORACLE
THE UNIONIST TACTICS.
IN England ArUaiting Leaders
STANDARDIZATION Near.
- r-.nnh 90. % rh. rrshuns. ]


Toodon Sept. ls-A- J. Balfour now becomes
che oracle whose utterance at Birmingham IS
awaited with intense interest. His audiences
will be more enthusiastic than that CT Premier
Asquith. for Birmingham has not lost falth IN
Joseph Chamberlain's primo ples ana they wiz
expect him TO advocate isrin reform with near
ness as an alternative tpolicy TO the fS<Auio@i
budget. When Lord Rose5eTy is frightening inc
whigs and men of moderate views with his de-
nunciation Of socialism and not explaining no"
the money for the navy and for reforms can he
raised Il becomes necessary for the UnioniSt
leader TO propose a constructive policy by which
measures for the relief of the masses can be
financed. The tariff reforIners will be disheart-
ened il he evades this Issue, especially as COM
promises are IN progress for enabling the few
conspicuous free fooders TO retain their seats in
Parliament The UniOnists cannot enter hope
fully on general election unless they have
definite policy of their own to cary out and
practical method Of reviving the Tory denoc-
racy as rival stronghold Of party influence
against the Radical Labor coalition.
Mr.. BalfousS viii be embarrassed by the neces-
sity OF taking up the question OF the Lords
functions in financial legislation. He viii be
reprOached for signalling the Lords TO throw
out the budget, he was for ordering them to
destroy the education, licensing and other bills.
yet he can hardly avoid discussing the constitu-
fional question which is now before the country
1e can enlarge on the fact that the budget
comprises much that is not nnaDce and includes
land valuation, licensing. local taxation and
other schemes which are not entitled 10 i'm
raunity money bills. Mr.. Asquith said nothing
about what is the weakest point in the Liberal
case. Mr.. Balfour win know how 10 take ad-
vantage Of every evasion and sophistry. but IS
not likely 20 advise the Lords TO adopt course
which viii invite a widespread agitation against
them and expose them TO public disapproval for
introducing revolutionary methods. Certainly
he win not make II more difficult for Lord Lans-
doWne to control the extremists when the budget
Reaches the upper house.
'The Spectator" which has been advising the
ssords 20 reject the land clauses and enact the
remainder OF the finance bill now abandons the
struggle. 1t counsels caution to-day in bringing
on a deadlock in financial affairs. and comedies
che necessity for accepting the budget The
Economist" vOicing the opinion OF the financial
centre Of England. declares that the most revo-
iutionary measures, although bitterly opposed by
the Lords. have neither been rejected nor amend
I'D, since taxes are the prerogative OF the Com
mons.
Mr.. Balfour, VINO is the Premiers equal as a
tactician. Is not likely TO be outmaneuvred into
a position where his own methods viii be con-
semned as more revolutionary and disturbing
shan the democratic budget itself The exas-
perated dukes and earls may not be equally
sensible, especially if they find Lord Rosebery.
Lord Cawdor or any other titled land owner
ready 70 lead them in bringing on q crisis in the
relations Of the two houses. Mr. Asquith has
succeeded in uniting the Liberal party without
Teassuring the moderate and independent sec
tion, which is strongly influenced by Lord Rose
berry. Mr.. Balfour has even more dificuIt
task in keeping his own party together and pre-
venting the unmanageable peers from taking the
bit between their teeth and boiling over the
fences
Brilliant as the man9uvres may be- there
must soon be great battle for the control of
the electorate. January is the date named by
the Liberal and Labor politicians, and Novenn-
ber by the Cnionists IN =