The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-20
.R[D|MOND'SACT|0N
CREATING ALARM.
lie Issues Ultinatum on His
Position in Fight Against
Lords.
D. EN- A.NDs DRASTIC STEP
Will Refuse to Pass Budget
Without Abolition Of Peers
Veto Power.
by WILLIAM 4. STEAD.
Special cablo to TheTimes. Dispatch.

d.
London. March 19.-John Redmond
has created much alarm by his ulti-
matum launched on the eve OF st.
Patrick's Day, and 1.-The holds to his
threat OF refusing to pass tho budget
OF Last year unless the government
guarantees the abolition of the Lords
veto the ministry may fall after Eas-
ter for the ministers cannot guarantee
the abolition OF the veto.
Until his last speech 1t was UNDER
stood that no would not vote against
the budget II the ministers undertook
to dissolve IL they could not procure
guarantees for the abolition Of the
veto. It's more drastic line Is regarded,
rs suicidal by many OF his colleagues.
as precipitating an appeal to the
country under the most unfavorable
auspices and securing the certain cleo
ton OF Conservative majority.
Premier Asqutth's speech at oxford
on Friday was the most important
extra-Parliamentary uttcrance ofyears.
Tho ministers, after much difficulty,
agree upon, first. the abolition OF a
hereditary legislatures; second. the
w,
drcd and fifty elected members and
fifty notables nominated by the crown;
third. this new chamber to exercise no
financial control. and when differences
arise on legislative proposals the two
houses to sit together and the ma.
jority to decide.
Mobiles Refuse to De Squelchcd.
The Lords debate on Rosebery's re-
form resolution was useful as bringing
into clear relief the opinion Of the
peers that tho empire would be much
better governed by hereditary mobiles
than by elected representatives OF the
democracy. They declare that the
Commons have deteriorated, and that
they alone represent inde pendencc. In
tellect and responsibility. More. they
keep on saying that tits better for the
Liberals.
Lord cromer's speech. claiming full
financial control for the Lords. Illus
trates the growing strength OF aristo-
cratic aggression. Democracy will
have to stand firm or one By one the
fruits of Its most cherished victories
will be filched from It.
The feeling among the Liberals OF
the country is very bitter. They are
beginning to realize that the fight
with the peers is more serious thing
than was anticipated. All hope In
we'll informed quarters is given up OF
any guarantee being cxacted from the
King II is doubtful even whether the
occasion will ever arise for demanding
them The Commons only chance Is
TO use the power OF the purse and re-
fuse to grant supplies to the crown
until the Lords submit
Much regret Is expressed over the
circulation OF the report in London So
ciety concerning Premier Asquith and
= y, IN hi
story OF impending separation. or even
OF domestic differences.
Asquith Has Suffered Grently.
Neither Is it true that there has
been any disagreement between Mr.
Asouith and the King. The Premier al
present is persona gratissima with Ed
ward VII. What makes the calumny
most unkind is that for the last three
months Mr. Asquith has been suffering
OF his daughter. who broke down ut
tcrly on tho death of her fiance. the
son OF Lord Aberdeen. Asquith loved
the young man his own son.
Lady Aberdeen told me that on on.
occasion the Premier did not leave
the chamber for twenty-four hours
Mr.. Asquith Is a man OF a very sen
s!tiye and affectionate nature, and thu
double strain OF political crisis ant
domestic bereavement tried him sorely
I have had some talk with the di
vorce commissioners and find then
unanimous in favor Of granting wiye!
the right OF divorce from unfaithfu
husbands on the same terms as thos'
on which husbands can divorce un
faithful wives. Also, divorce will bt
granted for malicious deseftion. and I
Is probable that divorce jurisdiction
will be granted tho county courts
Much difficulty is anticipated over thu
proposal to limit the liberty Of the
" press to report divorce cases