New-York tribune., 1910-02-22
TO CURB THE LORDS
FIN4NCE BILL FIRoI
LIBERAL ME4SJR RE.
Premiers Explanation OF
Kings Speech-Pi0ns for
Upper House Reform
1ar cahle 70 TIE Tribune ]


London. Feb. ol-The state procession
from buckingham Palace To the houses
of Parliament marked the passage OF the
country from the Vapors of Journalistic
conjecture to hard facts. 1t was
stately. picturesque function, which mao
been carefully rehearsed by the Earl OF
Granard. Master OF the Horse. 1t was
more brilliant as a spectacle than it
usually is. and drew larger and more
demonstrative crowds to the Mall ana
Whitehall Tableau in the Lords was
also more impressive, Prince and Prih-
cess Henry of Prussia being among the
royalties present, the peeresses ana dip
lomats being more numerous and the
grouping of the court officials and MIN
listers more effective.
The speech was read by the King IN
a strong clear voice, and was followed
with breathless interest toward the
close. the spectators in the diplomatic
group. among whom the American AM
hassador was prominent. bending fof-
ward in their eagerness to catch every
word
The vital massage in the Kings speech
nv, The relations between the two houses
was so obscurely written that the Prime
Minister'S exposition Of it was necessary
before il could be understood Inc
Treasury situation was clearly explained
and the proposals for securing the uh-
divided authority Of the commons over
finance measures were foreshaQo"eu'
b,,+ the nature and scope Of the veto pih
,,era left in doubt Both the Nationalist
and Labor groups were bewildered by
the text. and the Radical extremists
were alarmed and almost cXasperateo pS
intimations Of q measure for reforliiiiis
the House of Lords by Teconsutulihs II
so as to secure its importantly as d
vising body with restricted powers
thereby delaying legislation.
D,,rinr the interval between the hlng
eneecb and the Prime Minister'S calm
and measured explanation of the gov
ernment's policy there was eNcl'eo u'7
cussion in the Hobbies and smoking
rooms regarding the means when Noulu
be adopted for obtaining the predolill-
nance OF the House of Commons III leS
islation as well as I.ndtVided auihoIi'H
-, anance There was a general i'm
pression that the reconstruction OF lle
lIpper house would be undertaken pE
reduction in the number of legislative
lords and the creation of n su1hcIehI
number Of peers in sympathy with 'he
eovernment to hold the balance OF power
These would he peers nominated by the
crown and exercising their functions
Was also inferred that Sir Henry Camp
IeH- -Bannerman's scheme OF limiting lhe
susnensive veto to two or three sessions
would he adopted.
Premier Asquith's speech, when II
came. after a futile demonstration
against the Lords OF standing olderS
and also after stuC-ously moderate COM
rnents BY A ' t2lfoUr o. what was Hh-
intelligible in the Kings speech. was
brilliant example Of special pleading on
tho necessity for immediate action for
the relief Of the financial disorder, and
logical argument directed mainly to the
Nationalist benches, that the removal OF
the Lords power Of veto was the first
step toward the accomplishment OF
Home Rule. Tactical methods, rather
than the nature of the measure uhder
contamination for the Teadjustment OF
The relations between the two houses,
were explained. The budget and reso-
lutions against the absolute veto Of the
Lords and any Interference on their part
with the finances would come first. With
the curtailment of the Easter recess,
resolutions would subsequently be en-
bodied in an act which would be the
main work of the session. Mr. Asquith
spoke without dramatic intensity or
signs Of emotion, but impressively and
plausibly.
John Redmond received the Prime
Minister'S overtures with marked cold
ness, and virtually repeated the taunts
and threats which were contained in his
recent speech in ireland. The Labor
leader reserved judgment for the follow
ing day. and there were many signs OF
discomfort among the advanced Radicals
With caution and moderation shown
in the government tactics. there viii
be i week during which; the hotspurs
may cool off, especially as there is a
general desire to avoid q premature
election. The Premier has displayed in
flexible firmness, but his grip upon the
factions Of coalition has weakened.
l. y. f