The San Francisco call., 1910-12-04
TORIES Terror
MANIFESTED BY
RAPID CHANGES
BaIfOur Surrenders Tariff PrO=
lection Idea TO Win Free
Traders Support
Liberals and Home Rulers Gain
by Rashness of Opponents
in Election Fight
By T. P. O'CoNNoR
[SpeciaI Cable 10 Tie Cali

lSpectoi Table 10 ne ( all
Copyright 1910 10y the Tribune Co. Chicago.
LIVERPOOL, Dec. Kaleidoscope
is much too mild a term for the rapid
and numerous change is the policies OF
the tories in this election. They began
with jettisoning the house Of lords.
The hereditary house Of lords" said
Lord Rosebery. now is gone and the
tory party has ceased TO exist" Other
peers and Arthur J. BalfOur leader of
the opposition in the house Of COM
mons repeat this momentOus saying in
different words.
But the most startling of all surren-
Cers is Baifours abandonment Of the
tariff protection idea. His declaration
that protection would not be carried
without a referendum was the most
daring electioneering trick in British
annals
WHITE TERROR OF TORIES
All these rapid and continuous
changes in tactics make the liberals
describe this as the white flag cleo
tion" or. as Winston Churchill put IL,
1the tories march under an of1cer
called General Scuttle."
These eNpedients are eloquent PROOF
of the white terror of the tories At
last they realize that their insolent
rashuess has imperiled everything they
want 10 preserve-the land monopoly,
the hereditary peerage and their grip
on Ireland.
OF course. all the surrenders, all the
reforms and all the pledges are sham.
The so called reform Of the house OF
lords would make the power Of the
peers greater than ever.
The Balfour pledge Is studiously
vague and already it has been repudi-
ated by the Morning Post, the chief
protectionist organ, and by the really
sincere protectionist candidates.
9IUTINY AGAINST BALFOUR
Balfour's declaration is intended TO
win over some of the tory free traders
md it may influence some Of the cleo
ions. but ii helps to aggravate the
lrutiny. against his leadership. which is
strong ia the tory ranks and gives the
liberals opportunity for a triumphant
declaration that tariff reform has been
sidetracked by Balfour
The election is being fought amid
hourly growing excitement. ] never
saw the meetings so crowded and en-
rlusiastic.
The greater the excitement. the
greater is the chance Of the liberals
winning. but the staleness Of the
voters register is tremendous handi-
cap. especially in London, where, in
many constituencies, a third Of the
voters have disappeared into other
dwellings.
LONDON SEATS IN DOUBT
fear the London elections. and, as
they are the first elections, they may
prejudice the liberal chance through
ont the country, but Lancashire, where
shall spend most OF the time before
election. seems as solid as ever for the
liberals
Liverpool remains hopelessly tory,
mainly because many Of the constit-
uenries are as orange and anti-Irish
as the worst part Of Belfast.
In Manchester, which is the metropo-
lis of the free trade sentiment, only
one seat is endangered. Thomas G.
Iforridge. the ablest and most con-
-tnofuE protectionist champion, is light
ing for the east, where Winston
Crurchill was beaten three years ago
and may win, as the constituency is Of
"a Heterogeneous character consisting
or wealthy cotton lords, Of Irish Cath
ofics and Of the poorer classes.
Elsewhere there is no sign of any
diminution Of the liberal strength and
possibly some seats win be won in Ian
cashire. scotland and Wales.
HOME RULE PLEDGES GIVEN
Ny own oppression is that things
wil remain as they are, but that is
enough IN the meantime home rule
IS being pushed 10 the front equally
liberals are making daily more en-
phatfc their home rule pledges
Balfour has challenged Premier As
ouith TO agree that home rule, like
protection. should be submitted TO a.
referendum AsQuith refused emphat-
icaIlv and the referendum is definitely
opposed by the liberal party.
The cry Of American dollars" con-
tfnues but il is given with less fire.
ouency All the liberal leaders, includ-
ing Lord Morley, who re-enters the
elecfioneering campaign after many
years Of absence from the platform.
laughed IL out Of existence. and Lord
Rosebery's prestige has been greatly
lowered by his joining in this ridicu-
l0us CRY.
Things look hopeful to Ireland
though the tory and factionist attacks
on several constituencies deplete the
funds and divide the nationalist ener-
efes and retain in Ireland many able
speakers This last effect is especially
unfortunate. as never was there a
lzeener desire sn England 10 hear the
irish members and everywhere the few
who speak are received with enthus-
issm.
REDMOND GAINS STRENGTH
Indeed. the present election has re-
stored in ENGLAND the old tide OF emo
ffonaI enthusiasm for home rule which
died when Gladstone died.
cork city may be won from O'Brien.
Sir Edward Fitzgerald, who has the
support Of the thousand voters which
is the balancing factor now, is support
ing Redmond. North Lguth is uncer-
tain. but there is a great chance OF
beating Healy. and at best O'Brien viii
retain his seat in County Cork.
But all attacks outside of Cork viii
y and the probability is that Red
bond has a good chance Of winning the
Two tory seats ia mid-Tyrone lost by
the nationalist split at the last cleo
tiOn and South Dublin which was lost
through the snowstorm which made
the fun nationalist poll impossible