The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-07
GREAT BRITAIN
FACING CRISIS
Veto Bill to Be Returned to
Unenlarged House of
Lords.
CABINETS POLICY OUTLINED
Ii Measure IS Rejected Parlia-
ment Probably Will BE
Prorogued.
CABINETS POLICY OUTLINED

London, August 6-The lower tenn
perature outside Westminster has not
moderated the vagaries of the mid
summer madness" within. a crisis in
the fortunes of both ministry and op-
position Is impending this week, but
the best Informed observers are vague
and uncertain In their forecasts.
The matorit!es for the government
In the House OF Commons and against
II in the House of Lords on the mo-
ton Of censure Will be large but incon-
elusive. Mr.. Asquith Will not have d
deserter among the coalition forces,
and Lord Curzon may address the
largest body of peers seen in session
since the rejection OF the home ru!e
bill in 1899.
Mr.. Balfour may deny that ne has
declined TO attempt the formation of
an alternative government and Nr.
Asquith Is likely TO admit. under pres
sure OF close questioning. that thare
was an understanding with the King
last November respecting guarantees,
and that IL was based upon the result
OF the elections AZ the end OF the year.
Both the prime minister's request
Tor guarantees and the Kings acqu!es-
cence Will be Justified by the minis
ter!al!sts by the decision OF the coun-
try when the Parliament bill wag re-
ferred to IL, and the responsibility for
tween crown and premier Will lie with
the leaders of the opposition.
Rensonn VIII Not Convince.
me Cniouists are not likely TO gain
anything from the debate in which
MIR. Asquith can sum up the argument
of constitutional practice with cumu-
iative logical power. His reasons for
oHerinB TO the crown advice which
was both natural and necessary will
not convince mis- opponents and Will
not matter.
What is really important is his
method of securing the passage of
the bill with or without the creation
OF peers. The air Is full OF runors.
but the most credible informa ton
points TO a declaration BY the Prime
Minister that he will submit the bill
In its original form to the Lords with
out additional peers and that II II be
rejected Parliament viii be prorogued
Tor day, the measure will be rein
troduced and several hundreds OF
peers created for placing it on the
statute book.
II is probable that plain statement
OF the intentions OF the government,
wiz sunice Tor securing the enactment
OF the bill! on Wednesday The voting
VIII be close. since Lord Halsbury's
followers are about equal in number
10 Lord Morieys. but six or eight OF
Lord Lansd- vines ahstainers may
enter the government lobby for the
sake OF preventing any creation OF
peers.
Fire Enters VIII he Responsible.
II the government takes this course
IT will act with moderation. and Lord
Halsbury's fire eaters Will be solely
responsible for the degradation OF the
privileged order II the measure be
defeated temporarily and finally en-
acted b. big creation of peers.
Apparently the passage Of the bill
cannot be guaranteed by LORD Lans
downe nor calculated with precision
by Lord Morley The creation OF fifty
or hundred peers will release alb
stainers from their pledges and rein
force Lord Haisbury's hghting force
SO strongly that the measure will be
lost.
The best weapon in the government,
armory is the menace OF a big batch
OF creations II the bnr be defeated
1t may alarm the main body of peers
and force them TO take active meas
ures against the Tory rebels.
While Lord Halsbury's revolt has
appealed TO the sporting instincts OF
aggressive CEionism. it has become
In spite Of the protcstations of its
leaders. deliberate attempt to $
credit Slr. Balfour II IL be successf Ill
his authority as head OF the Unionist
party will be seriously impaired
II may not be true that the mem
beers of the Cecil family are punish
ing him for never consulting them
nor that Austen Chamb erla.n and the
other tarift reformers are taking
vengeance upon him for playing with
their cause instead OF advocating i,
heartily, but certainly his tactics have
been condemned by the rebels and his
prestige will be lowered If the minor
ity triumphs and forces the creation,
Of peers.
Lord Haisbury's followers. instead
of reviving the martial ardor of the
Unionists with their "hghting policy"
may end by paralyzing the party with