New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12
Indication of a Compromise
Between the Warning Houses
of Great Britain.
UNIONISTS HARD PRESSED
Government Supporting Presi'
dent Taft's Able Treatment OF
the Canadian Question
The London De claration.
TBy Cable TO The Trieune.l

political situation is Sl2cKenlnB' Inns 40
evident notwithstanding the hard feel
Ing between the leaders over the trade
agreement between America and Canaoa'
The trend toward a compromise is un-
mistakable on the Unionist side. as the
truth is learned that royal guarantees
for the creation OF hundreds Of peers
have not been withheld.
There IS less satisfactory evidence
that the government can meet the peers
half way If peace be proposed. The
Unionist tacticians, after agreeing that
Lord Iansdowne could produce bill
for the reform Of the upper chamber
are now assuming that Premier AsQuith
will substitute definite scheme for the
preamble Of the veto bill. This is pre-
cisely what they would like him to do,
because an amended plan would create
revolt in the ranks of the coalition. Mr..
AsQuith Is not likely to take advice from
the opposition when he knows that his
main body of supporters want the veto
bill and an indefinite postponement Of
the question Of the reform Of the Lords.
While the attitude Of the government is
not conciliatory and the peers are rails
ing objections TO premature discussion
of a scheme of reform, the chances Of a
settlement are steadily improving. The
King is credibly reported TO be greatly
relieved by the signs OF an ultimate ar
rangement between the houses.
The veto bill will probably be intro
duced week from Monday, and carried
TO a second reading before Easter. There
will be no prospect of a compromise
until 1t reaches the Lords after the coro-
nation. A conference will then be in
order over the reform Of the upper house,
and something may be done to save the
face OF the privileged legislators when
they have acquiesced in the enactment
OF the veto bill. 1t will be difficult both
for partisans and extremists to resist
the pacific tendencies Of the festive sea-
son. when the Colonial premiers are rep
resenting the united empire and the
popular sovereign is known to favor an
armistlce between the jealous houses
and the warning factions. The corona
ton flower will be peace
The Unionists are still in the woods
wandering without a compass. Lord
Curzon's scheme for the reform of the
Lords does not conciliate the Radicals,
and his intensity irritates the back
woods peers. who prefer the veto bill.
The latest rumors point TO a concentra-
tion Of the Unionists on a referendum
clause as a vital amendment The de-
spondent peers assert that the veto bill
al the worst will only be a temporary
evil, since the Unionists can counteract
its effect by enactng a referendum
measure when they return to power
There are no signs Of popular enthusiasm
for the referendum which has become the
fixed policy OF the Unionists Switzer-
land is small country on which to base
the destinies of the British Empire
Lord Rosebery's scheme for the reform
OF the Lords is in danger Of perishing
from inanition, and no substitute has
been found for imperial preference as a
working issue.
International questions promise to hold
the field at the imperial conference. The
Declaration OF London will be the prin-
cipal issue. and there are now indica-
tions that the government will make a
vigorous fight for the new sea code Sir
Edward Grey is thoroughly in earnest,
and has coached McKinnon Wood for a
brilliant and sound defence Of that
agreement. THE Daily Mail" attempts
10 create prejudice against 1t as q sea
law made in Germany for the benefit of
the Continental powers, as a foreign plot
for multiplying British advantages of an
insular position and for sanctioning the
creation in war time Of swarms OF pratt
cal Alabamas for raiding imperial COM
merce.
It is not likely that the vagaries of
partisan defamation will have much
weight in the imperial conference
against Sir Edward Grey's well rea-
soned arguments in defence Of enlight-
cned work toward civilization and prog
ress. The government will not find 1T
difficult TO reconcile Parliament TO the
declaration If the imperial conference
accepts II dS Il HtN Cildlltl VI tHS ilBHlS
of neutral commerce.
The government will also have the ad-
vantage in the discussions arising over
the trade agreement between America
and Canada. 1t has already taken a
strong position in declaring that the
mother country can have no interest in
discouraging agreements for giving the
colonies access to adjacent markets and
charging their commerce. THE Daily
Mail" by demonstrating that England
can offer Canada only half as much as
President Taft has agreed 10 give her,
has knocked the bottom out of preferen-
tial duties for colonial foodstuffs.
Practical tariff reformers are in de-
.pair They reluctantly admit that any
policy by which food supplies will be
made more costly has no chance in the
kingdom. President Tafts stroke is now
generally regarded as a mastery one.
based on the census and statistics of
trade and directed toward opening
fresh supplies Of food and raw material
for the main body Of consumers. No
English statesman has found leisure for
ssiying the problem of the sources of i'm
ported food supply in the near future
for the industrial workers.
London. Feb. 1.-THE official record OF
the Parliamentary debate on the Opposi-
tion's amendment 10 the address in reply
IN the speech from the throne urging fiscal