New-York tribune., 1910-02-20
MR.. ASQUI1H FIRM
LIBERALS HOPEFUL.
Chance of Maintaining Coala-
ton IN Parliament.
r~ nsls q n. Tribune. ]

London. Feb. fa-There is no evidence
that the Prime Minister'S hand has been
forced rv factional intrigues and hole
.r1-the-corner diplomacy. Hot a1d cold
fits have followed one another az lie
National Liberal Club during the week.
sno there is q final reaction against Sc
cret negotiations and sensational Jour
rslisn If Mr Asquith cannot COM
r1and the coalition groups and secure
the pa Of the helsted finance meas
ures no rival cen do It On either side Of
.he house snd 8 general election is in
evitsble
That is the eum Of the whole matter,
snd since an election IS not wanted by
eny section Of the House there is rea-
sonahle expectation that IL may be
avoided Certainly the prospect Of har-
-1ontous action among the three groups
which are opposed TO the Lords inter
ference with the Commons control over
finance is likely to improve when the
debates begin and Mr.. Asauith has an
opportunity fer explaining what he
meant by safeguards and guarantees
snd in what circumstances he looks for
support from the crown in the event OF
8 disagreement Of the houses over The
v-eto Loose talk will cease about ch
tanning pledges from the King before
.he veto hill has been introduced or an
actual majority either for or against
she BUDGET has been ascertained by
decisive division in the Commons
The difficulties of government by three
trdependent groups in coalition for cer-
tain purposes will be recognized, and
The fn1pracfica ability Of invoking the
rover Of the soeptre until legislation
against the Lords has been attempted
end rejected by the privileged house will
Re apparent when the Prime Minister
has spoken A general election cannot
he avoided If the Nationalist and Labor
-arties make unreasonable demands and
refuse to cooperate In iegalizing the tax
ie7-ies and working out the salvation OF
the Commons in an orderly way it
can Re averted If the independent fac
.jons allow the government to perform
through the budget. which was submit
ted TO the general electorate and appar-
entity sanctioned, and then unite in
carving the veto bill with the full force
rr the coalition majority
Whatever may be the immediate or Ill
innate effect Of the government pol
3czs. II is safe 10 forecast that the SOW
he GICf7-
ton nor dragged into partisan warfare
and that Mr.. Asquith will stand or tall
a. q Prospecting Prime Minister lie
lacks 2 majority independent and pow
erf1II enough to justify demand for
guarantees If he ever intended TO make
il. vet he viii not he bullied by factions
nor diverted from = rational course OF
action which makes finance the most
urgent issue and leads up 10 legislation
on the veto power with a dissolution in
due time As Z normal consequence the
faction leaders and Mr Balfour must
face the situation If financial chaos is
produced by the premature downfall of
.he only government capable Of restor-
ing authority for the taxes.
A Cabinet council has been held to-
Cav for sanctioning the Kings speech
HERBERT Gladstone has resigned the post
Of the Home Office. and his successor
and other ministers have kissed hands
rn their new appointments There have
been official dinners at the Prime Minis
sers and lord Beauchamp's. and cppo-
si,ion fessts at Mr.. Balfours and Lord
I,snsdov-ne's Lord Londonderry'a din
,7er5 have been followed By Mrs. lvor
Guests partv for the Liberals At VIM
borne HOUSE. where the courtyard has
been roofed OYER for the reception al
41-o thousand guests. Cnionlsta and
smart people re al parties have been
welcomed 81 L.ansdowne House, with its
Tcns series of spacious reception rcofls.
These gre the social prelinlnartes to an
erciting and possibly 2 mornentous week
.n British politics. during which history
rasv be made hand over hand
/ y 2