The Washington herald., 1910-02-22

London. Feb 1.-For the first time in
the modern political history Of Great
Britain, the sovereign has refused TO
identify himself with the policy of his
ministers. This is the striking feature
of the Kings speech. delivered ct the
opening Of Parliament to-day The atti-
tude of his majesty amused his hearers
in both houses and astOnished the whole~
country.
In announcing the programms(of the
government in dealing with ne deadlock
between the lords and the commons, King
Edward insisted upon inserting the words
'in the opinion Of my advisers" This
act of independence on the part Of the
monarch means much and viii have far
reaching effect on the general political
situation.
Edward has told the cabinet. and the
country as well. that he is a constitutional
monarch, and that if the ministers pro-
pose to make a fundamental change in
the constitution itself he viii not commit
the crown to such alteration on the die
tation of one branch OF the legislature.
Position Clearly NonDartisan.
1t seems a natural inference also that
he will not be a party to carrying into
effect this revolutionary proposal b.
means of a coup d'etat. II follows, TOO,
that reform in the House Of Lords cannot
be carried into effect except by a non
partisan compromise measure or what
amounts to the same thing. This would
be by originating with the House Of Lords
themselves a plan, and It Is believed that
this will be done as the Unionists and
Radicals both realize now that a thorough
revision OF the upper house is demanded
by tie country and must come to pass IN
the future
he usual humble address IN reply
speech from the throne had been
moved and seconded. Right Hon. Arthur
| j. Balfour, the Unionist leader. arose and
said that whatever might be said OF the
gracious speech from the throne" there
was very little in H. The only legisla-
ton foreshadowed, he declared, was some
alteration In the relations of the House
OF Lords and House of Commons. and
possibly some alteration in the constitu-
ton of the House of Lords. The terms Of
the speech. he said. were highly am
biguous
| Mr.. Balfour went on to say: when the
budget receives the cold and chilly, but
numerically adequate, support Of this
House. it doubtless will become a law.
| I believe that the majority OF the con-
stituencies OF Great Britain are prepared
| TO support the budget, but it cannot be
pretended that ireland favors It. Ireland
abstains from opposing the budget be
cause it thinks that the interests OF home
rule override those Of finance. II the
budget were isolated from all other ques-
tons it would be rejected"
Vote on sessiOnaI Orders.
The first work Of the House is 10 vote
certain seasonal orders. One OF these on
the paper to-day characterized the par
ticipation OF the Lords in the election of
members of the House of Commons as
an infringement of the rights OF the
House Of Commons. This was this after
noon amended so as to confne the dis
ability to the lords lieutenant. Of whom
there are comparatively few. Premier
Asquith declared that he had come 10 the
conclusion that it was not worth while
keeping the order on the paper.
In the House Of Lords after the address
in regard to the speech from the throne
had been moved and seconded, Lord
Lansdowne, the Unionist leader in the
upper chamber, in the course Of a speech,
said there was no change OF opinion
| among the members of his party in re-
gard to the budget of 1905. If. however.
il we're returned TO the second chamber
their lordships would have little to say
and would probably experience its pas
sage. But he could not promise a similar
accommodation in regard to the home
rule bill This formed a part Of the gov
ernment's policy, and the veto Of the
Lords was TO be abolished in order TO
make room for home rule. The crime OF
the House of Lords. he said. was that
it had an opinion of its own. He repudi-
ated the charge that the House OF Lords
had obstructed measures of the House Of
Commons
The House of Lords. said Lord Lans
doWne. was TO be deprived of all deal
ings with finance. Are We habitual
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