The sun., 1910-02-22
IRISH PARTY'S ULTIMATUM
HOME RULE AT ONCE OR NO
VOTES FOR THE BUDGET.
New Parliament Almost at q Deadlock
Despite Asquith's Clear Programme
king Edward Throws on Ministry
the Onus or Attacking the Lords.
Special cGbis Despatch 10 TMH Sum.

-AlnB EDWARD Inf0We on mhnfsuy
the Onus OF Attacking the Lords.
Special Cable Despatch 10 THE sum.
LONDON. Feb. 2I.-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 by the King
in person. at the opening Of Parliament
to-day. The attitude OF the sovereign
amazed his hearers in both houses and
astonished the whole country.
In announcing the programme OF the
Government in dealing with the deadlock
between the Lords and the Commons.
King Edward insisted upon inserting the
words sin the opinion OF my advisers
This act OF Independence on the part OF
the monarch means much and will have
far reaching effect on the general political
situation.
Edward VII. has told the Cabinet. and
the country as we'll. that he is a constitu-
tional monarch; but also that il the
Ministers propose to make fundamental
change in the constitution itself he will
not commit the Crown to such alteration
on the dictation OF one branch OF the
Legislature.
IL seems a natural inference also that
he will not be q party to carrying into
eject this revolutionary proposal by
means Of a coup d'etat. Il follows too
that reform in the House OF Lords cannot
be carried into effect except by a nom
partisan compromise measure or what
amounts to the same thing.
This might be accomplished by the
oriKination with the House OF Lords
itself Of a plan OF reform. IL 10
believed that this will be done. as the
Unionists and Radicals both realize now
that q thorough revision Of the upper
house is demanded by the country and
must come to pass in the n9ar future.
BAD DAY FOR AsoUTTH.
Apart from Redmond's attitude. which
for the moment Is the crux OF the situation.
there Is no denying the fact that Premier
Asquith has lost caste as well as followers
as a result OF to-days parliamentary
proceedings. The mildness OF the speech
from the throne as compared with the
Premier's past platform utterances has
disappointed. even Inundated. some OF
the more militant members OF the Liberal
party. When the Premier gave his ex-
PLANTATION OF the Albert Hall speech one
could see the jaws OF his Laborite allies
drop with sudden amazement. Sig
niicant glanoes were exchanged.
The fact il that Mr.. AsQuith's guarsn-
tees. which he made so much OF. were
generally accepted Gs referring to the
crown, though with a lawyers astuteness
be had refrained from undeoeiving the
general public. When the House ad-
iourned even the most potential sup
porters OF the Government felt olsen
chanted and dispirited.
The Laborites were glumly angry.
IL was felt that the fiery eloquence OF
many election platforms had been sud-
denly quenched by an ICY douche and
the rodomontades with which Winston
Churchill and Lloyd-George had tickled
the ears OF many uneducated audiences
had been launched in vain. This dis
satisfaction on the part OF considerable
portion OF Mr.. Asquith's followers may
have an important bearing on the future
OF the crisis.
OPENING CEREMONIES.
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yi was ivy or opIuo ~ - IA s.r1on .ss ION
Y, VIZ" Un1 .I "..S " 80. pa.n,
ingham Palace at the designated time
on the way to the House of Lords.
,rha gorrao,,s old .tata carri.gs ,,as
drawn by the traditional eight cream
colored horses, which trotted at a smart
pace through the crowded streets. lined
with soldiers, and arrived at the Victoria
Tower at three minutes after o'clock.
Inside the House OF Lords the scene
was an unusually brilliant and animated
one. Every seat was occupied, includ-
ing those in the gallery. where beautifully
dressed Peeresses awaited the coming
of the King and Queen.
Just prior to the arrival of the roval
oouple the Prince and Princess of Wales
took places on either side Of the throne.
while Prince and Princess Henry OF Prus-
ala, the former wearing the uniform OF
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