Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-15
BATTLE TO
DEATH ON
in BRITAIN
Two Great Parties to
Wage Decisive War
at Polls Today
CONTEST BITTER
Democrats and Aris-
Gratis Aligned in
Final Struggle
BITTER
ASSOCIATED Press1

II ONDON,- Jan. 14.-Tonight wit
messed the close of the parlia-
- mentary election campaign. 1t
has been fought on an issue that has
not been raised for 300 years, and 1t
has been fought with an intensity un-
paralleled in Great Britain in the pres
cnt generation.
The conflict that will open at the
ballot boxes tomorrow for the first gem
eral election since 1906 is death strug-
gle between the two great political par
ties in the state-the aristocrats and
the democrats
vote to protect the vote" is the ex-
hortation addressed to the people to-
night by the leading Liberal organ,
and it then portrays how the conflict
presents itself to the Liberals.
On the opposing side is arrayed every
possible influence in support OF the
privileged classes 1t contends.
Ample proof that the struggle Is
concentrated in the demand of the
house of commons for limitation Of
. the powers of the peers may be found
in the fact that all attempts to make
home rule and the danger of the disso-
luton of the union a factor in the con-
test have proved unsuccessful. The
British elector, as far as at present
may be judged. declines to concern
himself greatly with homo rule and
ltS alleged dangers.
Campaign Features
The two outstanding features of the
campaign have been the determina-
ton of the Liberals to concentrate the
attention of the people on the consti-
tutional struggle involved in the at
tempt OF the peers to control the public
purse, and the quick realization by the
Conservatives that the rejection Of the
budget had been a mistake.
Every effort was made by the oppo-
sition to change the issue. This is seen
in the introduction of new issues of
weak navy and the danger of invasion
by Germany
While under the influence OF Joseph
Chamberlain tariff reform was pushed
forward as the Unionists' leading
plank, on this question the party pre-
sents divided front. Austen Cham
berlain and various unofficial influ-
ences in the party stood boldly out for
the taxation of food, while Mr.. Balfour
declined to commit himself beyond the
vague pledge that tariff reform should
not have the effect of enhancing the
cost of living to the working classes.
Mr. Balfour left his position open to
strong attack from his opponents, be-
cause he has not given the slightest
indication of the details of his intended
tariff except that he committed himself
placed on raw cotton.
Reformers Busy
The campaign has been notable be-
yond all previous election struggles IN
England in the enormous use of picture
posters and similar devices.
Reformers opened shops to display
samples of foreign imports dumped
into England.
With regard to tho leaders in the
campaign. David Lloyd-George, chan
cellor of the exchequer, with his breezy
oratory easily was first as an election
eer, being followed closely by Winston
Spencer Churchill, president of the
board of trade, and John Burns, presl-
dent of the local government board.
The opposition had less effective speak
ers, and the peers, who for the first
time broke the tradition not to partici-
pate in an election struggle. rather
hindered than advanced their cause by
their tactless manner in dealing with
audiences.
Neither side neglected any possible
detail of organization, to insure VIC
tory. The Liberals tried hard to avoid
what. to them, was one of their great
est dangers, namely, triangular con-
tests due to the intrusion of laborites,
but despite their efforts there still are
fifty seats where there is possibility
of a Liberal constituency returning
a Unionist member through this cause.
To Reform Tariff
The Unionist free traders appear to
be decided to support the tariff re-
formers.
Lord Hugh Cecil one of their leaders,
announced his decision for this course
because of the injection into the cleo
tion of many issues other than fiscal
ones.
In a speech at Islington tonight John
Burns predicted the next revolution
would rise in the United States as a
result of class antagonism, due to the
protectionist system.
The house Of commons consists of
go members, and taking into consid-
Grafton the three candidates returned
tInopposed today by the Unionists,
there remain 667 seats to be filled in
the general elections.
OF these England will return 462,
Wales 80, Scotland 70 and Ireland 103.
When parliament was dissolved last
Monday the composition of the house
was as foil, ws: Ministerialists, Liberals
1855, Labor SO, Nationalists 81, Socialists
l. Total ministerialists 500,
Unionists 16S. Ministerial majority
1872. There were two Irish vacancies
at the time of dissolution.