New-York tribune., 1912-02-04
BRITISH CABINET READY
TO MEET PARLIAMENT
Radicals More Hopeful than
Tories as to Consequences OF
an Early Defeat.
INSURANCE ACT IN FAVOR
Lloyd George Expresses Bellet
That Now Is a Good Time to
Consider International
Disarmament.
lny Gable to The Tribune J


London. Feb. 3-The prospect OF
general election during the year is dis
cussed on all sides without any real con-
fdence. Extreme Radicals assert that
they will be we'll pleased if the govern
n,ent goes down prematurely on the Per-
sian question or on snap DIVISION OH
the suffrage issue, since in such case
Unionists will come in with an lnade-
ouate majority, will be forced 10 lhtro-
duce a measure Of tariff reform ana
speedily DE swept out by an uprising
under Lloyd George against food taxes.
Cautious Tories, on the other hand
dread an early election. because they
cannot count upon having a majority
large enough for resolute action on tarlif
reform They admit that there Is a tenn
porary reaction In favor Of the Insurance
act due 10 the recognition given to the
friendly societies. The truth is that they
are highly favored and that working
people are considerably benefited. Thus
It is that the Opposition prefers post
ponement OF the election until the
autumn, when the insurance act will be
in full operation and all classes will be
irritated and annoyed by it. In such
circumstances the Tories would have
reasonable expectation Of carrying the
country with humping majority ana
having the leisure for working out
comprehensive scheme of tariff reform.
Speech by Lloyd George.
Austen Chamberlain. Lloyd George and
Walter Runciman are the chief week
end speakers. The Chancellor of the Ex-
cheouer in his address to the City LAD
eral Club to-day did not attempt to out
line the Cabinets scheme for strength
ening the sinking fund and arrestlns
II alarming depreciation OF consois'
He agreed, however, that the question OF
the fall of consols should be investigated,
hut insisted that such an inquiry must
be divested Of all political bias and be
purely judicial, impartial and financial
examination.
More important however, than the
VI Chancelor's references to subjects con
nected with his own department was
passage concerning possible interna-
tionaI reduction Of armaments. He SAID
he believed that the present was an ad-
vantageous moment to consider the ques-
ton. and insisted on the fact that 1t was
I'm the interests of France, Germany,
Russia and Great Britain that there
should be a better understanding on the
subject.
Il believe that with candor, frankness
and boldness," he said, ''it is attainable'
The world would be richer for it, taxes
might be reduced. and the money which
would be saved that is now spent on ar
maments could be devoted TO develop
ing the resources Of the country and i'm
proving the condition Of the people. The |
cornerstone of sound finance is peace on
earth and good will among men,"
The Chancellor Of the Exchequer took
advantage of the occasion TO deny some
reports persistently current this week
that a split had occurred in the Cabinet.
He also assured his audience that the
alleged feud between himself and Pre-
mer AsaUith was myth.
Next week Winston Churchill will be
the most prominent figure in the politi-
cal arena by entering the open air den OF
tame lions at Belfast and escaping be-
fore nghtfal to Scotland While he
may vindicate the right of free speech
by appearing with Mr.. Redmond, he Is
not likely TO throw much light on the
coming Home Rule bill. That measure,
according 20 latest reports, is not yet
fully drafted. and its first reading may
he postponed until Easter, precedence
being given TO the disestab ablshment dill.
Home Rule in Embryo.
Cabinet councils for a session Of tre-
mendous legislative activity are begin
ming after prolonged delay. and there
will be a full muster of ministers next
week. Unprecedented efforts are being
made for speeding up the income tax
payments so that receipts may be we'll
In hand for the budget speech on full
revenues and magnificent trade pros
poets. Collection i'm the metropolitan
area has never been conducted more rig
orously.
Sir Edward Grey is warned by The
Manchester Guardian" that he must walk
warily if he intends TO prevent a repeti-
ton by Russia i'm Persia of what France
has done I'm Morocco. and that he must
resist strenUously the suggestion that
the Anglo Russian convention can be
converted into a charter for the parti-
tion Of the Shah's country into two pro-
tectorates. The Liberal press is virtually
agreed that the independence of Persia
must be maintained and that entente
diplomacy and all cooperation, political
or financial, implied by IL should 1e
abandoned rather than have the essen
tial principle of the Anglo Russian
agreement compromised or surrendered.
"fhe Westminster Gazette" Is splitting
hairs over Foreign Office policy, and
THE Times" and the Unionist journals