New-York tribune., 1909-10-03
BATTLE OVER BUDGET
THE LIBERAL POSITION.
Efforts to .AUert Struggle BefSeeen
British Houses.
lp, cable TO rhe rrlbune ]


London. oct 2-While the extremists remain
defiant. the moderate men OF both parties are
striving 10 avert a crisis in the relations OF the
houses Lords Cromer 81. Aldwyn, James OF
Hereford and other influential peers are op-
posed 20 the rejection or holding up OF the
budget, because they do not want 10 arm the
government with a powerful weapon Tor WIN
ming the general elections. Other Unionist peers
consider il ineNpedient 10 raise a constitutional
issue wheE the party is more likely to sweep
the cOu Try if Il leaves the government TO ste"
in its own Juice few months longer. They 90
not want 10 take the risks Of forcing an cleo
iion on the question OF the veto power OF the
Lords and having the ministers return to West
minister with an explicit mandate for limiting
rhe functions of the privileged house. They
consider IL better politics 10 allow the ministers
10 take the budget and play themselves out,
when the UnionIsts can return TO power ana
strengthen the upper chamber by judlcious re-
forms.
Moderate men like Sir Robert Perks on the
Liberal side are also warning David Lloyd
George anG Winston Churchill that they are
oourting disaster by identifying themselves with
the Labor faction which IS tainted with social
ism. They want the elections 10 be deferred
until reform bill, with a redistribution OF
seats, can be introduced and the energies OF the
party concentrated upon political rather than
social reform.
The extremists persistent and unmanage-
able on both Sides and are likely TO have their
way. The tariff reformers the great landlords
and the liquor interests united in demand
ing the rejection OF the budget. and sup
ported 10y enormous industries like the building
arade and by the fnanciers OF the City, who are
signing memorial soliciting the Intervention Of
the Lords. Lord Landsdowne Ill not find IT
easy TO control the peers, who rarely attend the
sessions in the gilded chambers but are now
exasperated. The relentless Radicals are
equally determined 10 force dissolution the
question Of the veto. and Will welcome the
Lords rejection or suspension OF the budget as
suicidal act which win bring the ministers
back 10 Westminster with power TO remove the
block progressive legislation.
Consequently. while a month remains for sober
reflection on the part OF both houses it is still
probable that the elections viii be forced on
the financial issue. The crisis can hardly occur
before the first week in November. and the
government will need at least a fortnight for
the adoption OF resolution against the veto Of
The Lords OF legislation by the representative
democratic chamber, elections are not likely 10
begin until January. Both the Liberals and the
Unionists are well prepared for the struggle,
with full lists OF candidates and no lack OF
party is close, but three-cOrnered fights are un-
avOidable in twenty more borough districts.
The Spectator" IS against the rejection OF the
budget. but Is prepared 10 join the tariff re-
formers in the campaign against socialism.
The Economist assumes that an election
brought about by unprecedented action Of
the Lords win be more favorable 10 the gov
srnment than an election caused In any other
way.
The disappointing receipts from the new taxes
are seized upon by the Unionists as evidence
that the Chancellor OF the Exchequer has over
estimated the revenues and has not provided
adequately for the treasury's needs A few
months ago they were charging him with under
estimating receipts and deliberately budget
ing" for an enormous surplus Lord Roth
schiid's new lead against the budget is ex-
plained by the Radicals as due to motives Of
self-interest, since the government will be
forced to borrow heavily il the finance bin be
thrown out and the great financiers will profit
by the fluctuations OF the market at the ex-
pense OF the small investors. Partisanship IS
Al white heat. with dreary forecasts of an
alarming increase OF unemployment during the
winter. high cost of living and general pros
iration Of business interests. The election VIII
clear the air OF political fog. l. M