Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-11-12

Prime Minister Asquiths announcement
of the failure OF the conference which
sought a solution of the parliamentary
deadlock. disposes of various reports Of
success circulated through news bureaus
for weeks past. Less than q week ago,
word came from trustworthy quarters that
an agreement had been reached for q
comprehensive scheme OF imperial fedora
ton, embodying home rule for the four
divisions Of the United Kingdom and Ire
land. with parliament representative OF
all the empire; that a convention was TO
be called to draft federal constitution,
that meanwhile the tories would prevent 3
ministerial crisis until a constitution was
whipped into shape, and that, In any event,
no political disturbance would be permitted
TO mar the season Of preparation for the
coronation festivities Of the coming June.
This imposing structure. reared by
supposedly reliable political architects in
London Is blown over like a house Of
cards by the prime minister's word, and
the issue Of ending or mending'' the
House OF Lords, is returned unchanged to
Parliament which assemblies next week.
Failure is written on the face OF the truce
entered upon six months ago. A general
election at an early date seems inevitable,
and the question OF modifying the veto
electors for decision. The fruitless con-
clusion of the conference affords abundant
material for political fireworks during the
winter months In Great Britain.
zee
The retirement OF Lord Morley from the
post Of secretary OF state for India marks
the retirement of the distinguished liberal
statesman from active politics. He remains
member of the ministry. holding the
honorary office Of lord president Of the
council, with a salary of about $4,000 a
year Lord Morley 10 the last OF the
Gladstonian group OF British statesmen,
whose names are written large in the hist
ory OF the empire for the last fifty years. He
has been Identified with and an active sup
porter Of every progressive movement Of
his time, an unwavering defender OF democ-
racy, and a brilliant advocate Of popular
rights. Largely through his influence the
steps were taken which resulted In the
federation OF South African states, and
70 him goes the credit OF insdtuhng limited
| representative government In India. Only
one act In his long and honorable career
caused grief to his admirers, and that was
his acceptance OF a peerage. Gladstone
had repeatedly refused a seat In the upper
house, preferring 10 remain commoner 70
the end. But unusual circumstances forced
Mr.. Morley to sacrifice his convictions
and consistency. One very near 70 him, Il
is related, became q defaulter IN business
to an extent involving ct least $4,000. MI.
AIOrley's name had been forged on notes
and he took the view that he was morally
bound 70 pay them In order 70 do this a
salaried position was necessary, and he &C
cepted the office and title as a sacrifice
to betrayed friendship.
The paddock bill' passed by the Spanish
senate recently gets It's name from It's
primary purpose which Is 20 shut the
door against the immigration Of religious
orders from France or Italy. Pending the
completion Of negotiations with the Yat-
can. no new religious establishments are
10 be created in Spain, and the extent Of
the regulation OF those permitted IL de-
pendent on the nature OF tho compromise
that may be effected between Madrid and
Rome. Some modus vivendi rather than
an imitation OF the French method Is 70
be expected. for the majority Of spaniards,
even those who advocate reform are not
radically ant-clerical
| The dligent pursuit OF dutiable goods at
American ports ranks as q summer pastime
I in comparison with the zeal and exactions
OF customs houses on European borders.
Two men went 20 Nice lately from Italy
to attend a funeral and took with them
wreath OF flowers 10 which was fastened
/ a SIX ribbon, bearing an inscription. They
was infomred at their destination that
they would have 70 pay q duty equivalent
/ 70 S25. The mourners protested, saying
that the wreath was made Of natural
I flowers, on which there was no duty; but
I they were informed that the dutiable
part was the silk. and that, aooOrding 20
/ the tariff laws. duty must be collected
ON the gross weight OF the memorial
emblem. Then the men agreed 10 throw
the ribbon away. but ibis could not be