New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-20
BRITISH POLITICS
ELECTION OUTLOOK.
UniOnists Hope TO Defer
Struggle Until January.
ny able TO Tho Tribune }

London. March ls.-ForecGsts Of the
coming crisis arc idle guesses. The most
plausible one Is that the ministry expects
70 hang up ne budget in committee
about the time when the veto resolution
reaches The Lords and 10 resign Office
when unfavorable action Is taken. A. J.
BalfouF's refusal 20 take Office when the
supplies are exhausted is regarded as
probable. and Premier AsQuith's return
10 power may be followed by an arrange
ment With the UniOnists respecting last
years anance bin. These forecasts as
sumo that the Lords win dispose OF the
veto resolution whenever Il suits the
convenience OF the ministers and that
yohn Redmond is beating the air when
he shouts. 'llo'vetO. no budget"
II may not be true thar John Burns
F, threatened 20 resign Office unless some
measures were adopted for strengthening
out the financial situation, and that sew
eral OF his colleagues were IN sympathy
with him, buf q cannot be doubted that
Mr.. Redmond insists on royal guarantees
as the price OF the Nationalist support OF
the budget. that the Radical members
are exaggerated by his unoonciliatOry
conduct. that the Nonconformists are in
a state az REVOLT and that the coalition
feuds are undermining the position OF the
government.
Mr.. Asquith has made brave show Of
nrmness and consistency at oxford, espe-
claliy IN declaring that the whole budget
VIII be passed. and Winston Churchill
has spoken with his oldlinle assurance
al Manchester, but the ministers are In
a desperate plight and the downfall can
not be long deferred.
While the Lords in continuing the dis
cussion OF Lord Rosebery's resolution
next week are not likely 10 work out
definite plan II reform. they viii supply
the Unionists with a helpful cue for the
canvass. The party viii be committed
20 a policy of reducing the number OF
peers and modifying the hereditary basis
Of the upper chamber. Lord lansdowne's
proposal for the creation OF life peer
ages, for the sake OF removing the dispar-
tty between the two parties in the Second
chamber. might be practical solution
OF the problem II he had not exposed
himself 20 criticism by restricting the
number and thereby depriving the crown
and Commons of the only weapon Of
defence against the encroachments OF
the Lords.
There will be a wide gap between the
superficial alterations ia the hereditary
chamber proposed by the Unionist peers
ocratic basis which is favored by Mr.
Asquith. Sir Edward Grey and M
Churchill Whereas the abolition veto
was a prominent Issue IN the last cleo
ton, and tariff refoTlners had 20 carry
the hereditary legislators on their should
ers. the reform of the upper chamber
either on Tory OF Radical lines win be
the main question at the next election.
While all signs point 10 general cleo
tion during the spring. the Uniouists in
Parliament admit that they are not pre-
pared for IT, and are anxious 10 defer the
crisis as long as possible. Mr.. Balfour's
friends report that he win prefer 10 have
the elections come ia October or January,
when the party can confidently expect
40 gain as many as a hundred seats.
while the Radicals are dispirited. they
are convinced that their losses will be
less serious Il a lighting policy be adopt
ed and the battle he fought speedily.
ar Asquith is his own master an the
Cabinet IL John Redmond holds him
under leash outside. He has taken a line
~ his OWL and has settled all the details
Of policy and tactics himself His most
serViCcshle supporter is Mr. Churchill
who has again raised his voice in Lanca-
shire 10 give warning that the Lords
have placed themselves outside the con-
stituuon and are conspiring against rep
resentarive institutions and popular lib
erty.