Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-02-15
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of Commons and the House of Lords
had been informed OF the course OF
the discussion. for although they spoke
before the premier, Lord Lausdownt
assured the government of Tnionist
support in any action to obtain IA bet.
ter understanding with Germany.
The speeches on domestic affairs
dealt ONLY generally with the govern.
ments huge legislative program. Ir
fighting speech Bonar Law promised
stubborn resistance to home rule and
other measures. Lord Lansdowne init
mated home rule would meet its fate
in the House of Lords. 1t will there
fore, have 10 be repassed by the House
Of Commons as provided by the Par
lament bill
only passing reference was made to
electoral reform and the possibility OF
Woman's suffrage. %nese measures will
come in the longer debate on the
amendments To the address which are
10 be proposed by tho Opposition
Iaborites.
London. Feb. 1.-THE first official
glimpse al the progress of the Anglo
German negotiations was given by
Premier Asquith in the course of a
debate in the House of Commons. this
afternoon. The prime minister said
that the British government had re-
ceiVed last month an intimation that
the visit of a British minister to Ber-
lin would not be unwelcomed and
might facilitate the attainment of the
common object of the two nations.
Niscount Haldane, the British secre-
tary for war, was consequently sent
TO Berlin.
There was Mr.. Asquith said per
feet Freedom OF statement and frank
ness of explanation between Niscount
JIaldane and the German authorities
over wide area OF discussion. He
continued:
Il genuinely believe that these con-
versations may have more than a
merely negative result, There is un
mistakeabe evidence OF a-sincere de-
sire on both sides for the establish
ment of a better footing between us.
l. is in that spirit that both nations
are now engaged on careful survey
Of the practical possibilities"
Premier Asquith, who referred 10
the over-e iouding of Anglo German
relations as "a most lamentable fact"
took occasion to deny the story that
the British fleet last autumn was pre-
pairing for an aggressive attack on
Germany.
Turning to domestic affairs. with
particular reference TO home rule. Mr..
Asquith said that the government had
now what il had not in 1898. a ma
jerity for home rule in Great Britain.
Bonar Law criticized generally the
home and foreign policy of the govern
ment and The changes in the govern
ments in India. As to home rule. he
Insisted that the premier adopted an
unusual course in leaving the legisla-
ton of the measure TO his colleague.
Mr. Churchill, Snstead of making the
legislation himself
The debate was carried on in the
House of Lords by the Marquis of
1~ansdowne and the Marquis of Crewe.
The former said that it was impos-
sible TO look at the general situation
OF international politics without feel
ing considerable uneasiness. But in
the effort TO improve relations with
Germany. he said. the government
would have the support OF the Oppo-
sition. The governments legislative
program, he described as proposterous
He was wholly unaware of any weak
ening in any section of the Unionist
party in regard 10 home rule Both
houses adjourned until tomorrow
London, Feb. 1.-THE second session
OF the second Parliament OF King
Georges reign WAS opened today. by
King George in person. with all the
time honored picturesque ceremony
which always marks such occasions.
No speeches from the throne for
many years has been awaited with
such absorbing Public interest, and the
King himself showed that he realized
the inomentousness of the occasion by
the emphasis he laid on the more sail
ent claues of his address while he was
speaking. Blank disappointment, how
ever, was easily read III the faces OF
his hearers of the colorlessness of the
Kings reference to the historic leg
islation mapped out py the govern
ment.
The speech was a short one. In re-
ferring TO the measures to be brought
before Parliament, the King said:
a measure for the better govern
mcnt of ireland will be submitted to
YOU.
"A bill will be laid before YOU TO ter
inmate the esta adjustment OF the cnufGh
in Wales and make provision for its
temporalities.
Proposals will be brought forward
for the amendment of the law with
respect TO the franchise and The reg
istration of electors
This was what the King had to say
about the three measures which, II
they become law, will radically alter
the constitution and history of the
United Kingdom.
The King made no mention of Brit
ish relations with Germany, and aid
not allude in any way to NiscouGt
Uailanes recent trip to Berlin about
which there has been so much specu-
laton.
The most interesting reference TO
foreign affairs was the clauses in his
address relating TO China, when ne
said
q trust that the crisis may soon be
terminated satisfactorily by the es
Enlistment OF n stable form of gov
,,sf,h IE, of