The sun., 1910-02-18
LABOR MEN BESET LIBERALS
WANT LORDS VETO QUESTION
SETTLED FIRST.
Irish Parliament Members AIaO COOperat-
lnE and May Demand Another Elec-
~ tiOn 20 Settle the Matter AsQuith
Has Audience with Ming Edward.
special Cable Dsspasoh to THE SUN.

Special Cable Despatch to THE SUN.
LONDON. Feb. 1.-THE chief rea-
ture OF the political situation to-day
was Premier Asquith's audience with
the King at Buckingham Palace. This
preceded meeting Of the Cabinet and was
followed by a further conference OF the
Ministers.
John Redmond. the Irish leader. r, p.
O'Connor and John Dillon also held a
long conference this afternoon. Be-
fore the meeting OF the Irish leaders Mr..
0'Connor had conferred for an hour with
the chief Liberal whip.
II is said from a Trustworthy source
that the leading Liberals are taking q
grave view Of the situation. Il is believed
that the negotiations between John Red
mond. the Irish Nationalist leader and the
Liberal Cabinet have fallen through.
The Intervention Of Mr.. O'Connor, IL 10
said. has not had any definite result.
1t 10 also said that the Government
In threatened with trouble from another
quarter. The Labor party sent commu-
nication to the Cabinet protesting in the
strongest manner against Prime Minister
Asquith's continuing to hold Office with
out an assurance from the King in regard
to the House Of Lords, and also against
! the question OF the Lords veto right being
postponed until after the passage OF the
budget.
The terms OF this communication leave
no doubt In regard to the Intentions OF
the Laborites in the event Of their protest
being disregarded.
Mr. Barnes. the newly elected chairman
OF the Labor party. issued statement this
afternoon in which ne says ne knows
that Premier Asquith has received no
assurance from the King in regard to his
action on the Lords veto power, which,
according to Mr.. Barnes's statement,
will be dealt with only after the budget
has been passed.
This means. says Mr.. Barnes, that the
recent elections were not sufficiently
decisive in regard to the standing Of the
House OF Lords and involves another
general election before the question 10
settled.
1t is stated this afternoon that the
Irish and Labor members contemplate
moving an amendment to the address
in reply to the Kings speech in which
the issue Of the rights OF the Lords will be
raised directly
Premier AsQuith still keeps every
body guessing. He apparently does not
propose to disclose his plans until he
meets the House of Commons on Feb
ruary 21. Meanwhile he is providing
the newspapers with materials for a
sensation. which they manipulate for
all they are worth. Yesterday closed
with a series Of excited rumors. and the
papers tomorrow morning are likely
rather to stimulate than allay the excite
ment.
The Government press is unable TO
pierce the Ministerial reserve and in
the absence OF information treats the
situation as a grave crisis. In view OF
Mr.. Barnes's emphatic statement and the
declared attitude OF the Nationalists.
one writes that it is now clear the Gov
ernment cannot remain in ofbce unless
IL takes u bold course and unless 1t has
the King behind 1t in TAX ing that course.
These journals say that when Mr..
Asquith some time ago declared he would
not take office without safeguards against
the Lords veto he meant legislative safe
guards. but the Laoorttes unwarrantaoly
assumed that he meant guarantees from
the King. Accordingly when they
learned in the lobbles yesterday that the
King had given no guarantees there was
W1NO " ANp@N'S1~~ N-N-S~ A~@~@SNN,~~SeN' -
which the Liberals. Natonaiists and
Laborites all joined.
This induced Mr.. Barnes to issue his
statement ana caused Mr OConnor' VINO
Ia taking leading part in the nego-
tiations with the Government, to COM
municate to the press strong reaffirma-
ton OF the Irish attitude. He AYERS in
his communication that -it is the supreme
duty and the most vital interest OF the
Liberal and Irish parties TO get rid OF the
Lords veto. IL is Impossible TO recon-
mend any tactics except those summed
up in the phrase the veto before the
budget"
Mr.. O'Connor Acknowledges the i'm
portance OF the budget, but says it is not
Of paramount importance. He adds
that the Irish would be ready to swallow
the budget il a veto bll were submitted.
and II the Government, after the House OF
Commons passed the bill. was in position
IN aav IL had guarantees enabling IL tn