The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-11
VETO POWER LOST
Upper House of Parliament Sur
renders to the Commons.
Adopts Morley Motion by Vote of
I31 to ia.
VICTORY FOR ASQUITH
Lords ShOrn of Power Over Peo-
ple's Representatives.
The Change May Bring Home
Rule to Ireland.

London, Aug. 1.-THE official report
or the proceedings at yesterdays ses-
sion Of the house of commons issued
today. contains the announcement in
formal official terms that a message
has been received from the house of
lords stating that they will not insist
on their amendments to the parlia-
mentary bill, to which the house of
commons had disagreed and have
agreed to the consequential amendment
to the bill proposed by the house of
commons Thus will be recorded in
the documents of parliament the great
est victory achieved by a Liberal prime
minister in century, for although
Unionist votes passed the bill in the
upper chamber last night, history will
give the credit to Premier Asuuith's
audacious policy.
The great constitutional struggle
ended last night when the house of
lords, by a vote of 131 to ia adopted
Nlscount Morley's motion not to insist
on the lords amendments to the veto
bill the purpose of which is to restrict
the powers of the upper chamber over
legislation originating in the lower
house and which may result, among
other things, in home rule for Ireland.
The veto bill limits the authority of
the house of lords to a two-years' sus-
pensory veto and greatly increases the
could not possibly have passed the
house of lords except that it was known
that its rejection would be followed by
the creation of sufficient new peers to
enforce the will of the lower chamber
and which the government asserts, is
the will of the people. The victory
was all the greater as it was achieved
with a composite majority in the house
Of commons, over which the govern
ment whips had no control.
While there is a strong public opin-
ion opposed to a radical change in the
constitution and even many Liberal
peers thought that the government
was going too far, satisfaction is gem
eral that the end of a situation which
has kept politics in turmoil so long
has been reached. In the press and
among the people today the result was
discussed with moderation and already
interest is turning to other matters.
Certainly the recent rift mas not done
the Unionist party any good and in
the future there will be always the
possibility of the sore breaking out
should the leaders show any weakness
on question of nationa- Importance.
However, a strong effort Is being made
to bring the two sections together on
a strong platform, among the chief
planks of which will be the repeal of
the parliament bill and the reform of
the house of lords as outlined in Lord
Lansdowne's bill.
The Earl of Selborne, the only pos
sible leader of the Union.sts outside of
A. J. BalfOur, will rejoin the leaders
under this policy and a majority OF
his followers and the bulk 6f the op-
position party will fall in line. The
Earl of Halsbury, the most unrelentins
of the ''Die-Hards.' is now too old tc
take UP the leadership of even a sec
ton of the party and he probably vii
retire from active politics A few in
surgents like Lord Willoughby De
Broke and other fighting peers viii
always remain on the flank of the
party ready to attack any sign of lean
ing to the democracy, but as they have
always done this, the effect will no
be serious.
The Irish leaders are confident tha