New-York tribune., 1909-12-12
Xiv.
London. November 2J.


tihs budget campaign might prove in
smriting. But was wrong. Lord Crcmer
has taken himself out Of this category
OF leaders. His tame. which VIII be last
ms. Is due 20 his Internationally years
or administrative and executive work in
Egypt. He governed Egypt; governed IL
wisely and well amid difficulties OF many
kinds, and In the face OF French opposi-
ton. open ana covert. during q great
part Of this long period.
That was the cromer OF recent yes
terday. But the cromer Of to-day speaks
and does not act In yesterdays dis
course TO the Lords he condemns the
Budget. but he will not vote against a.;
nor for it, lie will not support Lord
Lansdowne. who has shown. both in his
decision Ia ask the Lords 90 reject the
Budget and in his speech. high qualities
or character and intellect. Lord Cromer,
who would take all risks in Egypt.
will take none here. He shrinks from
the consequences of rejection. holding
them grs-er than the consequences of
allowing Budget he deuouncos as
vicious 10 become law.
n is all very disappointing. II tends
I" Justify the view OF those who consider
that a great proconsul in the outlying
paris Of the empire or it's dependencies
NAV prove less equal TO great responsi-
bilities at this imperial centre. There IS.
OF course no general rule. Some sue
ceed AT home and some fan. IL would
be too much 10 say that Lord Cromer
has failed. He was a great ruler: he
cannot but have in him the elements Of
imperial greatness. Yet this great Vice
roy--for such in effect ne was-suddenly
turns up a doctrinaire. lie cannot
wholly rid his mind Of the fansticism of
I'ree Trade. re certain extent he does
emancipate himself for he advises Free
Trade Cnionists 20 support Tariff Re
form candidates in the coming general
election. But when he has 10 choose be-
tween a bad Budget and that Tsriif Re
form which Ministerislists and Union
,sts say is the only alternative. his cp-
position 20 the Budget becomes aca-
6emlic.
The other reason Lord Cromer gives Is
ereE mere purely speculative. lie VIII
not vote 10 reject the Budget because Of
or Germany, for that is what Europe
means i'm this eenneotion--wcuid or could
take advantage Of contest about the
House Of Lords and a deficit for the cur
rent year to invade England. Lord
Crone7 must know that Germany VIII
have no feet capable of keeping the North
Sea before 1912. If then And the cleo
tions following upon the dissolution OF
Parliament. which Is expected 10 follow
upon she Lords refusal to accept the
Budget will be held in January, 1910
II the Unionisis win, the crisis, what
ever IL may be worth. is az an end for
the present II the Radicals Nin, they
are not likely TO come back with ma
jority large enough 10 make them inde-
pendent OF the Irish vote i'm the House OF
Commons. They must. therefore, hold
Office at the mercy 81 the Irish Nation
alists. who are certain sooner or later TO
impose terms which no English Ministry
can accept. Another dissolution viii fol-
low. and nobody seems TO doubt that IN
the event Of a second dissolution the
Unionists must come back with ma
ierity. There is in this country q re-
spectacle minority I'm favor Of Irish
Home Rule. But there are not many
English who think the Irish ought to
be allowed 20 rule both Ireland and Eng
land.
But Lord Cromer IS not willing to ac-
oept the risk of precipitating an appear
20 the country. He would rather let the
Budget become law and see What hap
pens. He>edoes not see or admit that
the Radicals mean to destroy what they
call the veto power Of the House Of
Lords. whatever the Lords do about the
Budget That fight will have 20 be
fought out whenever the Radicals shall
return 10 power with a working major
ity. BY working majority mean
majority over both Irish and Unionists
What should We gay in America 10 the
anarchist who should propose 10 abolish
the senate aud the Supreme Court and
leave us az the mercy Of a single elected
House? The House OF Lords Is not
Senate, il is not supreme court but
for practical purposes and constitutional
functions il is both in one. IL Is, at
any rate the only BODY in this kingdom
which can perform, though i'm an mol
rect way the functions of both Senate
and Supreme Court with reference 10
legislation. The House OF Lords is the
sole constitutional check upon the rapa-
cious uropensities Of a Radical House or
Commons. The Radicals want 10 abolish
II or 10 abolish its political and lesisla-
tive efficacy because il is not Radical
IN Is a party move. purely party move
The truth Is that when man has
Lived for twenty-five years among an
ellen people. and most OF all among an
Oriental people. he finds himself on his
return 20 this country a little depayse.
lie can master the facts Of the situation
He can master the arguments, or bo
mastered by them; but neither while lie
was abroad nor al once upon his return
has he the political instinct OF the nome
dweller. IL is easily lost; II IS recovered
with pain and toll. But until he recoV
ers IL his counsels upon particular
movement of policy are apt 20 be like
the counsels Of an intelligent foreigner.
The F'renchman or the German supplies
The Englishman quite often with pun
gent criticisms upon English affairs and
with much well meant advice. But the
F,nglishman is not often converted. He
misses in these intelligent comments the