Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-01
WAR ON THE LORDS
British Commons Prepares to
Battle for Rights.
BREACH OF CONSTITUTION
Rejection of the Budget Is So
Called in Resolution.
APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY
Parliament to Be Prorogued Friday
and Campaign Will Begin Imms-
diately-Cheers for Premier.
APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Special Cabegram to The Star
LONDON, December lit is officially
announced that parliament will be pro-
rogued Friday next December 3.
Premier Asquith announced in the house
Of commons today that tomorrow he
would move a resolution to the effect that
the action of the house of lords in refus-
ing to pass into law the financial provi-
sions made by the lower chamber for the
expenses Of the year was a breach OF the
constitution and usurpatiOn of the
rights Of the house of commons
When the premier entered the chamber
this afternoon the supporters of the gov
ernment rose to their feet and greeted
MIN with ringing cheers. Immediately
Following the conclusion Of routine busi-
ness the prime minister took the floor
AS soon as he had concluded the house
adjourned.
In introducing his resolution tomor-
row Premier Asquith will go exhaustive
ly into the question of the respective
privileges Of the house of lords, and the
house Of commons, and state in detail the
governments intentions
Former Premier Balfour, leader OF the
opposition in the house of commons, will
reply, setting forth the view that the
new and important departures in public
policy represented by the budget bill
should be submitted to the people. John
Redmond, head Of the Irish party and
possibly one representative of the labor
party will follow with speeches.
Crisis Rapidly Developing.
The political crisis caused by the un-
precedented action of the house of lords
in refusing it's consent to the govern
ment's budget is developing rapidly. Tho
cabinet, which had already determined
upon the policy 1t would pursue in ths
event of Lord Lansdowne's amendment
being carried, a conclusion which was
foreseen from the first, had an unusually
early meeting today to confirm Its deca-
sion and consider the wording Of the
motion which Premier Asqufth will ask
the house of commons to adopt. This
motion will constitute a remonstrance
against what the liberals contend to have
been an invasion by the peers of the
rights of the lower house.
All the members Of the cabinet were
present at the meeting, which excited SO
much popular interest that a great crowd
gathered in the vicinity of No. 10 Down
ing street, the official residence of the
premier, and where SO many historic meet
ings have been held. The fact that there
was not 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
summoned to prevent possible demon
stration. The ministers passed through
the street to the premier's residence un-
disturbed by suffragettes and encouraged
by the cheers of their supporters.
Discussion to Be Brief.
The time of the deliverance OF the
speech of prorogation, the substance Of
which was decided upon at yesterdays
cabinet meeting, will depend upon the
time occupied for debate on the premier's
motion, which commences tomorrow.
1t is expected, however. that this dis
cussion will be brief the speeches by
prearrangement being confined to the
leaders OF the unionist, liberal. labor and
Irish parties. Parliament will be pro-
rogued doubtless until the middle OF
January, but the choice of a date is q
mere fornality, as the present house
comes to an end by dissolution early in
the year.
The election campaign will open in earn
est Friday, when David Lloyd-George.
chancellor of the eXchequer, and Winston
Spencer Churchill, 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 ex-
ception of a brief respite at Christmas
will continue the fight until election day.
Peers to Take Stump.
In many respects the impending strug-
gle will be the most interesting i'm the
parliamentary history of England. Some
of the peers have decided to take the
unusual course Of stumping the country
to explain their action in voting against
the budget. This course is believed by
many Of the lords to be imperative fol-
lowing the criticism which fell from the
lips of some OF the stanchest OF the
unionists during the recent debate. Lloyd
George, Churchill and other radicals can
be depended upon for fighting speeches
in favor of the budget and against tho
budget, 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 Unionist Program.
The unionists although not so well
equipped with orators. are determined
upon stern campaign. They will leave
the lords to look after themselves. devot-
of tariff reform and a denunciation OF
socialism, toward which they will claim
the budget is a first step.
The suffragettes, too. who have been
comparatively quiet for a time, have been
only reserving their resources for cru
cial effort
The laborites all strong supporters of
the budget, will meet tomorrow to ar
range their campaign, and efforts are be-
ing made already. and with some success.
to prevent a three-cornered contest As
q part of this program the labOrites are
Withdrawing their candidates from those
districts where the liberals have the bet
ter chance of success while the liberals
are doing a similar service for the labor
party where the latter is stronger. In
this way it is hoped to secure clear
majority irrespective of the Irish party
in favor of the budget and with the aid
of the Irish to secure a large majority
against the interference OF the house OF
lords in matters Of finance.
eII.& al To- -rslV1 49, q