New-York tribune., 1911-01-22
LIBERALS WELL UNITED
Premier Asquith in Full Control
OF British Cabinet.
UNI0NISTS DISHEARTENE0
Veto Bill the Main Feature of
Parliament s Autumn Session
Referendum Policy.
rBv cable to Tn. Tribune.

London, Jan. 21-Only one Cabinet
Council has been held since the general
election, and there is a single open So
cret This is tho fact that there are no
fcuds inside the Cabinet and that the
government is absolutely united on
measures Of policy and tactics in the
present session The Ministers have no
excuse for wranEling when their work is
cut out for them. \ year ago there was
dictation from John Redmond. and the
Cabinet was rent asundcr by divisions
over the constitutional question and the
expediency Of holding back the budget.
The Prime Minister. having consulted
the country on the single definite issue
Is now the master In his own house.
Neither NTr Redmond nor David Lloyd
George can offer resistance to his will.
The veto bill becomes the main feat
ure OF the session, and il does not mat
ter whether any other legislation is
enacted the financial votes alone eX-
cepted. When one crosses Northumber-
land avenue from the National Liberal
inE from one planet TO another. The at
n1ospheTe in one quarter IS electric with
hope and optimism. In the other quar-
ter It is heavy with pessimism. The
Radicals are confident that there cannot
Re any effective resistance 10 the veto
hfll when Premier Ascuith has sue
ceeded IN obtaining the popular sanction
for II. They assert that another cleo
ton w1Ib not occur for four or five years
and that Liberalism in the country will
he strengthened during the interval by
democratic legislation respecting work
mems invalidity pensions and sick funds.
and Will be rendered invincible.
The Tories on the other hand are dis
heartened. They talk dismally about
the nation being on the downward
grade Their menace Of forcing the gov
eminent 20 create five hundred peers
has n hollow sound when they reluc-
family admit that by this drastic course
they Will impair the prestige Of the
King and discrcdit the peeragc by maxi
iuC il ridiculous Equally futile is the
threat that Mr. -Ralfour and Lord Lans-
downo viii proclaim their intention Of
yopcslinR or amending the veto bin If
tho Ministers succeed i'm securing its
passage and are finally dismissed from
Office Zeal for the referendum prin-
clple seems a mockery when the decision
Of the general electorate on tho COnsti-
tutional issue is openly noutod.
The most prudent Cnonists advise ac-
tion by tho Lords after the second read
ing which will bring an alternative
scheme before the country and open the
vav for a compromise under the Kings
initiative THE Quarterly Review"
considers the referendum as the obiec-
tive point 10 which the Unionist cam
Tai2n must he carried. since II is as
democratic as tho veto policy itself. and
far more direct and comprehensive as
q means Of enforcing the popular will
on great questions like Home Rule, dis
establishment and tariff reform. Not
only the coronation but the expected alb
Fence OF the King in India require a
period ~ political peace and the settle
ment Of the constitutional controversy
st the autumn session Of Parliament will
Re impraCticablo.