New-York tribune., 1909-09-12
ILORDS FORCING FIGHT
BRITISH ELECTION NEAR
Both Sides Prepare for Great
Struggle Betreen Houses. I
TBy French cable 10 The Tribune. J

London, Sept 11.-Premier Asquiths speech
est Birmingham is now awaited with intense IN
serest since general elections are foregone con-
srlusion All doubts Of this result have been dis
lyelled by Lord Rosebery's attack on what ne
,considers a socialistie budget Neither Lord
I.ansdowne nor Mr. Balfour can now prevent the
rejection Of the finance bill even If they wish
20 do so, for the majority Of the peers VIII IN
sist on holding up the measure which LORD
Rosebery contends. requires popular mandate
Lord LansdoUne. with Mr.. Balfour as his chief
adviser, is not likely 10 allow the direction OF
affairs 10 pass out Of his hands. He VIII oe
snxious 10 manpuvre for the best possible posi-
zion. This will require action for obtaining
direct referendum from the country on the Lib
sral financial policy.
The Lords. by passing resolution hanging up
1he budget until the general electorate has seen
.nonsulted. viii break the force Of criticism for
amending or rejecting the budget violation
Df the constitutional usage for generations.
sThey win not intervene revolutionists plot
aing 10 control financial legislation by the titled
blouse. but the champions OF democracy
bent upon referring a question Of momentous
importance 10 the general electorate for final de-
scision. This is Lord LansdOwne's probable
iDOurse when the finance bill reaches the upper
shsmber, in the middle Of October Mr.. Asquith.
while making a plausible defence against Lord
lSo6GDeTgTs OBSTRUCTIVE CIllltASlis may bS SA-
rpected to indicate at Birmingham the govern
snent's method Of meeting the grave crisis in the
relations Of the houses.
British politics is most interesting field
pf msneuvres with two equally clever tao
sicians opposed to each other. and Lord Rose
1lery as a free lance, with considerable fol-
1owing OF Moderate Liberals and Free Trade
lJnionists II is believed that the Prime Min
lister will want TO choose his ground for an ap-
peal to the country and have every advantage Of
position. Whet the Radical hotspurs are urging
aIpon him is the necessity for having referen-
Sum on the modification Of the Lords privilege
81 suspensve veto as well as on the fate Of the
finance bill The Moderate LibeUals trying
no hold him back with the plea that the country
ss already frightened and not disposed TO cut off
an anchor 10 windward.
! Let the tacticians do what they will. general
slection can hardly be deferred beyond Novem-
per or January. The government has borrowing
bowers and can get on for a few months. II
rhe budget be hung up it can decline TO exercise
shose powers. and. by suspendng salaries and
disbursements, bring on state OF helpessness
Rnd beWiderment for which the Lords may be
eleld responsible. The revenues collected on the
Faith Of the Commons's resolutions viii be in
validated if the Lords withhold sanction from
1he finance bill suits can he brought for the
Repayment Of taxes and there will be a wide
Epread disturbance of trade.
/ Elections cannot be deferred for many weeks
elnder the extreme conditions OF uncertainty and
sXcitement. II Lord Rosebery be right the gov
ssTnment is anxious TO go 10 the country. Ger
Tainly the coalition between radicalism and
hrade uniOnism has become a close working
arrangement. This is shown by the proceed
sngs Of the Trades Union Congress at Ipswich.
rRVhere the moderate have controlled the
situation. and also by the understanding for the
avoidance Of three-cornered contests.
The Tories also closing their ranks and
anaking arrangements for the retention of the
seats OF the small group Of Free Trade Unionists
IWhere they weak is in the appeal TO the
ENorklng class. A Tory democracy is fiction of
hygone politics. II is not by sny means certain
Hhat Torlism and landordsm, pure and simple.
ran carry the country, with the help of the
brewers and publicans. The best informed nelI-
hTals look for return Of the Liberals by a re-
nuoed majority, but the democracy before an
elsction is, however, as inscrutable as the
Sphinx. IN r