Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-15
Fought on an Issue That Has Not
Been Raised in Three
Numbered Years.
THE LORDS AND COMMONS.
struggle Concentrated on Demand for
Limitation of Powers of
The Peers.

London, Jan. A-Tonight Witnessed
the close of the parliamentary electiun
campaign. 1t has been fought on an
issue that has not been raised for 300
years, and 1t has been fought with An
intensity unparalleled in Great Britnin
in the present generation
The conflict that Will open the ballot
boxes tomorrow for the first general
election since 1906 is death strur..Ie
between the two great political parties
in the state-tho Liberals and the Con-
seryatlveS.
.svotc to protect the vote" is the ex-
hortation addressed to the peop.e to-
night by tho leading Liberal organ. and
It then portrays how the conflict pre-
ssnts itself to the Liberals. on The
opposing side is ranged every poss BIZ
Influence in support of the privileged
classes, 1t contends.
THE GREAT ISSUE.
Ample proof that the struggle is con-
centlated in the demand of the house
of commons for a 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 dis
solution of the union n factor IN the
contest have proved unavailable. The
British elcctor as far as at present
may be judged. declines greatly To
concern himself with home rule and lis
alleged dangers.
The two outstanding features of the
campaign have been the determination
OF the Liberals to concentrate tho at
tention of the people on the constitu-
ional struggle involved In the atempt
Of the peers to control the public purse.
and the quick realization by the Con-
servatives that the rejection of The
budget had been a mistake.
Every effort was then made by the
opposition to change the issue. and this
is seen in the Introduction of new is
sues of a weak navy and the danger
of German Invasion.
4, While under the influence of Joseph
Chamberlain tariff reform was pushed
forward as the Unionists' leading plan.
on this question the party presents u
divided front, Austen Chamberlain and
various unofficial influences in the
party going 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 has left his position open
! to strong attack from his opponents,
because he has not given the slightest
indication of the details of his intended
4 tariff, except that he committed HIM
self to the assurance that no duty
would be placed on raw cotton.
The campaign has been notable be-
yond all previous election struggles IN
England in the enormous use of pic
ture posters and similar devices. Tariff
reformers opened shops to display sam
pies of foreign imports dumped into
England,
PRINCIPALS IN CAMPAIGN.
With regard to the principals In the
campaign, David Lloyd-George.c .chancel-
3 lor of the exchequer. with his breezy
style of oratory, easily was first as an
electioneer, being followed closely by
E, Winston Spencer Churchill. president
of the board of trade, and John Burns.
president of the local government
board The opposition had less erect
i've speakers, and the peers. who Tor
the first time broke the tradition not
80 participate in an election struggle
"rather hindered than advanced thelr
cause by their tactless manner In deal
ing with audiences.
Neither side neglected any possible
detail of Organization to insure victory
The Liberals tried hard to avoid what,
to them. was one of the greatest dan
gers. namely, triangular contests due
Ito the intrusion of Laborites; prt
despite their efforts. there still are oo
seats where there is a possibility of a
Liberal constituency returning
Unionist member through this cause.
The Unionlst free traders appear TO
be decided to support the tariff reform
crs. Lord Hugh Cecil, one of their
leaders. announced his decision for this
course because OF the injection into
The election OF many issues other than
fiscal ones.
~ In an election speech at Islington to-
night, John Burns predicted that the
next election would arise IN the United
States as result of class antaSonlShl'
due to the protectionist system.
The house Of commons consists of o'o
members. and, taking into considera-
tlon the three candidates returned un-
opposed today by the Unionists, there
remain G67 seats to be filed In the gen,
eral elections. or these f1nSland WI,
return 462. Wales 80. Scotland Y, and
Ireland 103. When parliament was
dissolved last Monday. the composition
Of the house was as follows;
DIVISION OF HOUSE.
Minlsteralists-Libe 365; Labor
So: Nationalists, 81: Socialist, l.
Total Ministeralsts, 500.
Unionists. l6S
Ministerial majority, 1892
There were two Irish vacancies at tn'
time of dissolution.
Three to nothing In favor OF th'
Unionists Is the tally at the end o.
the first day of the elections for mem
Mbers of the third parliament OF hlnt
8Edward's reign.
Joseph Chamberlain, for Birming