Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-01
Iake Amazing Turns as
EIectiaas Draw Near.
BaHuuf Fsyors Referendum
RpssbeIy Attacks Liberals.
Ulster nsa Take Strong Stand
against Home Rsis Doctrine.

London, Nov. e30.-The present elec>
ton campaign is one Of amazing
changes Lord Transformers unex-
pected presentation Of scheme for
the reform Of the House of Lords
has neen surpassed in suddenness by
Mr.. Balfours throwing over of traifr
refrom as an issue of the elections
Lord Rosebery. in the course of a
speech today at Manchester, said:
tine House of Lords has ceased to
exist: it has surrendered its powers
to the nation. This is fact OF
enormous importance"
Lord Rosebery admitted that it was
deatb-bcd repentance, but he con-
tended that death-bed repentance, if
SINCERE. was valid and valuable.
Mr.. RalfOur's adoption of the refer
endnm is generally attributed to pres
sure from an influential section OF the
Unionist free traders, led by Lord
Conner, although it is acclaimed by
the bulk Of the Unionist party, once
their surprise is over. as MASTER
stroke of skilful electioneerng. The
Opposition leaders change of tactics
took the older Conservatives COM
plefeiy aback and caused cOnsterna-
ton among the ardent protectionists
The Liberals, on the other hand
characterize his attitude as adroit
slipperiness and opportunism. The
Liberal leaders, who were surprised
have not yet had time to adjust them
selves to the changed conditions.
David L!n%d-G .orc". chancellor Gr
TIE eNfheqIer, speaking It L!anlria-
dad Wells tonight. reiterated that the
cost of referendum would be Sl0,-
eoo,OV,. 1t was mere device, he said.
10 put more effective weapon in
the hands OF the wealthy classes. The
Liberals would have none of it.
augustine Birrell, chief secretary
for Ireland. speaking at Bristol, said
that Mr.. Balfour's proposal of the
eIetendum was deiusive, dangerous
and unavoidable and calculated TO de-
stroy free representative government.
The home secretary. Mr.. Churchill. adj
dressed two meetings at Sheffield tonight.
He said that no day passed without some
rory leader overthrowing some ancient
principle of the Tory party Nothing
was more astonishing this wonderful
taken that once proud and powerful par
". Mr.. Churchill was again subjected
70 Sufragist disturbance. several unruly
persons being elected from the hall The
Hood of election oratory Is llnabated. but
1t consists mainly of repetition of we'll
worn arguments. ..~
The Ulster movement is growing apace
throughout the provinces. The Ulster
men have taken strong stand against
Home Rule and the offers of subscrip-
tons to fund, which is to be devoted
to the purpose of organizing a regiment
and purchasing arms. have risen from
$4,000 to $l20.0OO in the past two days.
The declaration of the Unionst leader
is.received with great enthusiasm by the
bulk of the party, who believe that it
will help to win votes in the north where
protection has not made the same head
way as elsewhere 1t also places the
extreme radicals in a Quandary as here
tofore the principle of the referendum
has been plank In their platform. \
few ardent tariff reformers are opposed
to the proposition but they probably will
accept the situation. as Joseph Chamber
lain, who Is encouraging his followers
through letters from the sick room, has
been urging them to concentrate their ef-
forts upon the matter of Home Rule and
the constitutional questions involving the
House Of Lords.
At least 100 members. of whom GO are
Unionists, will be elected without contest.
Saturday will sac polling for 45 seats SO
far as now arranged. OF these % are at
present held by Liberals.
In Ireland, where the voting will take
place later. the Nationalist are renomi-
mating the present members. lIhe
O'Brienites are receiving the financial
support of the Moderates. who consider
John Re,linond's plans impossible and
also are disguised with the Orangemen 5
threats of violence and bloodshed if the
t.xist;nr government for Ireland Is