New-York tribune., 1909-09-05
TO REJECT THE BUDGET
GENERAL ELECTION NEAR
The Lords Likely to Pose as Cham
uions of the People.
tRv French Cahle TO The Tribune.

London, Sept. A general election before the
end of March is now conceded by men Vi an
parties at Westminster. The crisis will come IN
October, when the finance bill reaches the Lorus.
Talk about amending the budget or cutting OUT
the land section has ceased. The practlcai op-
jections TO this course are the apparent popu-
Iarfty of the land section and the probability
that the Speaker would rule out an amendment
from the Lords as unconstitutional The pro-
cedure which the Unionists now favor Is re-
jecting the entire finance bill its second read
ing. on the ground that it embodies new prln-
ciples and requires the direct authority OF the
general electorate. There is no definite informa-
ton from the Unionist leaders. but there are
rumors that Mr.. Balfour and Lord Lansoowne
have reached an understanding by which the
budget will be rejected and the government In
vited to advance the register and order gen
eraI election in November.
Whether Lord Lansdowne himself moves re-
lection of the finance bill allows Lord Rose
berry or one of the dukes do it, this Will be a
most adroit manpuvre. because 1t will involve
a direct appeal to the electorate as the primary
source of political power. The Lords instead OF
protecting their ancient rights as land owners.
will pose temporarily the champions of DEM
ocratic authority.
Mr. Balfour's fine Roman hand may be dis
tincty traced in this plan OF campaign His
risks to ,the Lords themselves. The country
may return a Liberal majority, and the upper
house, by the terms of its own challenge, Will
be powerless TO offer resistance TO the Com
mons Land or financial policy.
While il is not yet certain whether the Lords
will have the courage to adopt this course, ii is
evident that the Liberals are preparing for a
general election They have plenty of money.
full lists of candidates. that nearly every
available seat can be contested, and a close
understanding with the Labor party by which
the number of three-cornered contests will be
reduced to a minimum. Important consulta
tions with their election agents have been held
by the Liberal whips this week. and the min
listers confident of carrying the country by a
substantial. even if a reduced majority. Like
the brilliant leader of the opposition, they are
themselves maneuvring for the best possible
position, so that decisive battle against the
Lords can be fought.
The tactics which will be adopted If the Lords
throw out the budget in October cannot be fore
cast with confidence. David Lloyd-George and
Winston Churchill will probably advocate i'm
mediate dissolution. but the Prime Minister
may consider it necessary to defer the elections
until January or February, and attempt
assure the Moderate Liberals, who fright
ened by the prospect OF long course Of demo-
cratic legislation of an advanced kind. The next
fortnight will witness important meetings at
Glasgow and Birmingham, where Lord Rose
berry, Premier Ascuith and Mr.. Balfour will be
heard, and the crisis in the relations between
the two houses will come in October. when Lord
Lansdowne may find the Lords unmanageable
Certainly a large body of peers are convinced
that they must fight at once be overwhelmed
by the advancing wave of democratic agitation.
/. N F.