New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-29
TURNING TO ROSEBERY
THE UNIONISTS ALARMED.
His Entry an Political Field May
Cause Var of Houses.
IBy cable TO The Tribune

London, Aug 2S-The protests Of the dukes
and other titled land owners have been so in
discreet that the Unionists are turning TO Lord
Rosebery for guidance. premature report that
he intends 20 attack the budget from q Glasgow
platform has caused widespread satisfaction
among the opponents Of the government. Not
only is he a picturesque figure in British politics
trOm his alOOfness from both parties and his
brilliant talents, but he also represents what
may be described the Moderate Left Centre
recruited from the sOber-ninded men of the
country. Since the death OF the late Duke Of
DevOnshire there has been no leader with a ma
tiOnal reputation for caution and common sense.
Lord ROsebery is strong enough 10 stand alone
and protest against revolutionary finance with
out exciting ridicule the Duke Of Northum-
berland Lord Londonderry and other champions
OF the privileged order have done Apparently
ne is not willing TO speak from Unionist plat
form, but will wait until a non-partisan back
ground can be provided.
The Ministerial press affects indifference 20
Lord Rosebery's hostility TO land reforms. and
recalls his dislike 10 Sir William Harcourt's
dead hand" budget He has not been in sym
pathy with the radical proposals for taxation OF
land values, and took an active part in defeating
the Scottish land bill. He viii merely be logical
II he opposes the entire land section on the
ground that II is socialistic The Ministerial
press errs when il asserts that he Will speak as
q lost leader, without political followers. Mod
crate men OF their own party can hardly fail 10
be strongly influenced by him. The back
benches Of the Lords, moreover, are likely 70
take advantage OF Lord Rosebery's intervention
and throw out the budget without regard 10 the
advice or warnings OF their leaders This is the
real danger OF the situation.
Lord Rosebery who has been a strenuous ad-
vocate OF reforms for strengthening the upper
chamber and imparting TO it a representative
character, may help 10 bring on a disastrous
struggle between the houses Not that he VIII
lead an attack on the taxing powers OF the
representative chamber. but that the unruly
peers viii take the bit in their teeth and bolt
when he swings his arms with rhetorical
sweep.
The government, in the mean while, has car
ried the Irish land bin through committee
transformed the licensing clauses OF the finance
bin introduced a development bin for fires
grants OF forestry, rural industries. drainage
schemes and motor roads. and is preparing to
send John Burns's town planning bill and other
measures to the Lords with the budget II IS
making wonderful record for legislative indus
try and infiexible courage in conducting cam
paign OF ideas and administrative reform.
The enthusiasm displayed at budget meetings
seems TO indicate the Liberals success in inter
esting the electorate in social questions but ;he
result Of the general election, when IL comes.
may prove that Liberalism is repeating the ex-
perience OF Mr.. Gladstone's reform adminstra-
ton in 1s6s in attempting too many things ana
exhausting the patience OF the country by ex-
cessye agitation and activity. Inf.