Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
FIGHT TO Be BRIEF
But Political Contest in Eng
land win Be Bitter.
UNIONISTS MORE HOPEFUL
Principal Question at Issue Is That
of House of Lords.

LONDON, November 19.-With the de-
livery of Premier Asquith's speech de-
claring the policy of the government, fol-
lowing. as it did, Mr.. Balfours outlining
OF the unionist policy earlier in the week,
the two parties in the political contest
have laid their cards on the table. The
fight will be short and sharp, and, from
the attitude Of The politicians who have
already taken the platform, as bitter as
It will be short.
When the failure Of the veto conference
was announced all signs favored the
government candidates, just fresh from
their successes In the by-elections. Good
trade returns Increased the popularity of
free trade, while the unionists, disorgan-
ized. had apparently lost heart, some of
their newspapers even predicting their
defeat should an election ensue The
approach of the dissolution of parliament.
however. restored their confidence and
all sections OF the party which a few
weeks ago advocated general home rule
are finding it awkward to recant and the
ranks generally have been reformed
Opposed to Balfour Plan.
The house Of lords naturally is the fore
most question on which the election w IL
be fought. A section of the union: SITS.
made up of old tories, is unwilling to ac-
cept Mr.. Balfours scheme for the reform
Of the upper chamber. particularly OBJ
jecting to the elimination of the heredi-
tary principle, but the influence of the
men who comprise this section will have
little effect.
A plank or Importance in the. unionist
platform is opposition to home rue and
''the use of American dollars to destroy
the British constitu .ton." The latter cry
has lost some force through the publica-
ton Of a statement that only $4,000 was
by the Irish leaders. one tn I'd
Of which came from Canada, the suo-
scription list in that country being headed
by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the premier.
Unionist Plan Fails.
The unionists opened their tarfn reform
In the manufacturing district
when the crisis was reached. and hoped
to be given time to make appreciab,e in
roads on the liberal stronghOlds. Dis
solution intervened and improved busi-
ness conditions. which tended against the
success of this plan.
The liberals are full OF confidence in
their policy for the abolition of the veto
power Of the house OF lords, free trade
and the success of the governments So
ciai legislation. They have an awkward
problem to face in seeking q solution OF
conditions arising f. ON the Osborne judg-
ment. which prohibits trades unions from
using their funds to support the labor
party.
The labor members of the house OF
commons are demanding that legislation
be enacted to overcome this judgment,
and Mr.. Asquith has promised to an
nounce the governments policy on this
matter next week. The judgment has
lad the effect of reducing the number OF
labor candidates. thus avoiding three-cor-
nered contests, through which the lib
erals lost q doSen seats last January.
1t is expected that the returns will he
by december 10. The boroughs,
London. will poll between De-
cember 5 and 8. the strict DO oug =
between December and II. and the
counties between December and II,
The peers n tile co.Iing election will
have an advantage not accorded since the
days of the .1ong parliament" The reso-
luton declaring It to be An infringe nent
On the liberties Of the commons TO a peer
or Q prelate to concern himself In the
elections Of the members was not renew
"a at this parliament.
The suffragettes are well provided with
funds for the elections. but the public has
lost curiosity in theif actions.