The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-24
HOWLS HIM DOWN
House Of Commons Refuses to
Hear Premier Asquith.
Scenes of Wild Disorder Mark
TOday's Session.
ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK
Are Greeted With Cries of Con-
tempt and DerisiOn.
Speaker Finally Suspends the
Sitting Until Tomorrow.
ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK

London, July 24-Scenes Of wild dis
order marked the session of the house
of commons today. Half a dozen times
the premier rose to move considera-
tion of the lords amendments to the
parliamentary bill and each time ne
was hOwled down by a din so terrlnc
that the speaker had difficulty in max
ing himself heard as he appealed to
both sides to observe parliamentary
decorum. Again Asquith essayed tol
speak, but was unable to prevail
against the uproar-
After trying vainly for three-quarters
of an hour to get a hearing, Premier
Asquith cut short his projected speech
and. amid a hubbub. declared that II
the lords would not consent to restore
the veto bill even with reasonable
amendments. to substantially its origt- |
nal form, the government would be
compelled to invoke the exercise OF the
royal prerogative for the creation OF
Prominent among the disorderly ones
was Lord Hugh Creil the conservative !
free trader from Oxford university !
who incessantlv chanted divide, divide, |
divide" This created fierce ind1gna- |
tion on the radical side of the cham |
Der from which the members appeal /
ed to the speaker to metaphoricaily
turn him out.
Frederick e. Smith. Unionist for the
Walton division of Liverpool. injected |
the claim that the Unionists were en- /
titled to protest in this fashion if they !
thought the cabinet had degraded the
political life of the country.
This led to a renewal Of the out |
break.
Waits for a LuII.
Meanwhile, Pre- mier Asquith stood at
the table waiting a lull in the storm; |
His first word, however, was signal
for another cyclone and for minutes /
the premier stood. unable to set in Z
word Cries of -hUrrah for Redmond, /
the real leader" suddenly broke out
from the conservative benches. we /
viii listen to Redmond they added.
THE British aristocracy," was the
scOrnful reply Of the radicals look &C
en-"
Sir Edward Henry Carson, Unionist
for Dublin. then moved adjournment
The speaker said he would be delight
ed to entertain the motion, but the
proceedings had not yet started.
Again and again Asquith tried to
speak but whirlwird of cries
drowned his voice. ''Divce. divide, let
iis know the terms of the bargain, write
another letter. toe the line were
among the favorite shouts.
A strong appeal by the speaker
finally caused a momentary cessation
of the verbal tornado and Asquith got
out a couple of sentences, asserting
that the principle of the parliamen-
tary bill was affirmed as far back as
1907 and was confirmed at the gen
cral election.
Interruptions followed the Union
lists shouting, Can not We hear the
dictator?"
Asquith went on:
THE house Of commons carried a
resolution in favor of the bill in 1910
by a large majority and but for the
death of King Edward
keep the king out of politics"
"Who killed him you Gid" resouEd-
ed in the opposition benches.
Tries It Again.
During the next Iull the premier re-
sumed:
But for the death Of the king and
the temporary truce ceres of A
bright sort of truceD, it would have
been passed at that session through
all its stages. The constitutional con-
ference proved that with the best bill
q settlement by agreement was impos
sible. The bill was presented to the
lords. 1t was laid aside in favor of
an alternative scheme put forward by
Lord Lansdowne on behalf of the re-
sponsibie leaders of the opposition"
As the premier spoke the uproar was
continued and only sua;Ches of what
he said could be heard He added:
A situation has been created
(cries Of by Redm ond") from which
there is only constitutional escape.
That is unless the lords consent to re-
store this bill with if sou like. rea-
sonable amendments consistent with
its principles and purpose, we shall be
compelled to invoke the rrerogative of
the crown"
At this declaration. the tumuIt was
renewed in all its early strength. There
were shouts of shame; Redmond.
you are disgraced; you are no prime
minister"
Asquith concluded in a few SEN
tences inaudible to those in the press
gallery. but evidently uttered in great
heat and with emphasis. As he sat
down he received an ovation from his
supporters.
A. J. Balfour replied that the gov
ornment by this one stroke had mis-
used the prerogative of the crown to
destroy the second chamber Others
attempted to speak, but We're howled
down and. unable to restore order.
Speaker Lowther declared the sitting
suspended until tomorrow.