The San Francisco call., 1910-11-19
.AsQUITH PROPOSES
APPEAL TO PEOPLE
Premier Insists on Favorable
Vote on Lords Veto Bill to
Delay Election
Peers Object to Government
Proposal and Balfour Calls
1t Unconstitutional


LONDON, Nov. 1s.-Tbe brief ses-
sions of the two houses of parliament
held today are likely to prove the turn
ing point in the history Of the house of
lords as now constituted.
The older conservatives view events
with anxious concern and lament the
disappearance OF the hereditary prin-
ciples as the basis OF the upper cham
ber. A second appeal to the nation
arising from the struggle between the
two houses seems certain. and hence
forth elective and selective bases will
enter into the constitution of the
house of lords.
The belief tonight is that the house
of lords will not. attempt to pass the
second reading of the veto bill on the
conditions imposed by Premier As
quith.
ULTIMATUM FOR LORDS
1t is the intention of the government
to pass the essential features of the
budget, namely, the income tax, tea
duty, and remove the pauper disqualf-
hcation for old age pensions and dis
solve parliament November 2S, should
P ethe lords in the meantime reject the
veto bill.
Presenting this program in the house
of commons today, Premier Asquith
said that he had hoped up to the last
moment that the veto conference would
reach a settlement. He added:
The result is that we revert to
a state of war
The lords. viii. be given an op.
portunity OF saying Yes" or No
to the governments veto bill dur
ing the coming week.
There is no question of amend
ment or transformation. 1t is
question of acceptance or rejection.
The time has come for this con-
troversy wAich obstructs the whole
path of progressive legislation to
be sent for. final, decisive arbitra-
ment to the national tribunal.
TORIES AND LABoRITEs REBEL
Arthur J. Balfour. leader OF the op-
position. attacked the program as an
dented and unconstitutional. The min
istry. he said had made up its mind
that all chances of the lords making
moderate and reasonable proposals for
the settlement of the question at issue
between the two houses must be avoid
ed at all hazard, and so was rushing
through to a dissolution of parliament
before it would be possible for the
Smoderates on both sides to form a
judgment.
George Nicon Barnes. labor leader,
voiced the revolt of the laborites
against the government. who, he said,
were altogether dissatisfied with the
premiers suggestion for the payment
of members Of the lower house as a
palliative for the wrongs sustained by
the trades unions through the Osborne
judgment.
.I<ISG STANDS AL0OF"
Pressed for a statement on the sub
ject of guarantees from the crown, AS
quith said his declaration of last April
still represented the deliberate inten-
tions of the government. He said:
The king stands aloof from all
our political and electoral contro
versies, and it is the duty of his
subjects as well as of his minis
Lutte detachment from the arena OF
party struggles.
The liberals of the lower house gem
orally interpret Asquiths statement as
indicating that he has obtained condi-
tional guarantees from the king.
Redmond took no part in the discus
sion but 1t is understood the nation
alfsts fully approve the government s
proposals.
Asquith Will open the liberal cam
paign with a speech at the National
Liberal club tomorrow, and in it is eX-
pected to develop the governments pol
Icy at length All the other leaders are
booked for speeches in quick succession.
Much criticism and complaint is heard
on the conservative side that the gov
ernment has precipitated elections at an
Snconvenient time. Both sides, however,
profess the utmost confidence in the
outcome.