New-York tribune., 1912-08-11
Peeraees Likely for Augustine
Birre|| and Harold J. Tenant
Before Next Session.
MASTERMAN NEXT ON LIST
Many of Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer's More Moderate
Supporters Wish to See
Him Resign. '

.
mcnt Of Parliament for brief Vaca-
/ ton there has been a recrudescence Oh
the rumors of Cabinet reshuffiing that
are alvavs revived at the close OF
session. on previous occasions the
vacation has hcen used as the oppor-
tInitv for many quite important
changes but II Is not likely that there
viii no much alteration this year.
This is doubtless due TO the belief
that the end of the present Liberal ad-
ministration Is not far OIL Announcer
two wears is about as much as can De
oxpocted in the present state OF THINGS
while It is even possible that uneN-
pected defeat may overtake the gov
! ernment considerably earlier.
Some who are supposed to nave IN
side knowledge Of public affairs thinK
a dissolution is probable within the
next year. Every election tells against
the Liberal administration, and as tho
latter's majority is thus fast dwin-
ding il NAV soon be found to provide
too narrow a margin on which 10 keep
office.
Rv.elections. however. are not always
70 he relied on as an accurate indeX
i'of the general feeling Of the country
Northwest Manchester, which has JUST
voted heavily and Unexpectedly against
the government. is a notoriously ncKie
constituency and has habit or return
ing n U-nionist at by-electlons ana
Liberal AT general elections Inc
causes II the Liberal defeat are thns
not easily to be determined. The LID
oral candidate contended that tree
trade was the chief issue, and the re-
turn NJ his opponent would thus appear
n be n staggering blow 10 Cobdenite
principles. -.
"The Manchester Guardian, one OF
tho leading advocates Of free trade
saws; I'VE are sorry for the heaviness
of the blow which the Unionist success
must give TO free trade. There is on'F
one issue in which the vote OF Nor'h-
west Manchester can do more thah
orv other constituency and that Is free
trade
THE Times" on the other hand
thinks IL would he unwise 10 ara"
from this election the conclusion that
the electorate has made up its NINA -
laccept tariff reform. We believe the
real reason TO be a general weaRines5
and distrust Of the government rms
in the opinion Of those best able 10
know. is true, and the moral doubtless
ia that when the general election comes
Northwest Manchester Will return 10
it's old allegiance.
or the spcculations as 10 Cabinet
changes which have recently filed the
nauspapers, the most interesting Is
that the Hon. Neil Primrose the
brilliant son OF the Earl of RoseoerY'
lis likely 10 get a government positlo''
Members Of all parties In the hous'
recognize him as thoroughly worthy oi
advancement. Every one is impressed
bv his ability and fairmindedncss' an !
on all sides 1t is agreed that brilliant
career is before him. He is still quit'
tyoung. having been born in lsS-.
| Further than that, the only proposal
as to changes In the ministry concerns
the front bench in the House OF Lords'
which, 1t is said, must be strengthened
for the coming debates on Home knic'
Welsh disesta blishment and the tran-
chise bill. This is VIGOROUSLY the gov
ernments weak spot. and II Is quite
possible that Augustine Birrell VIII be
asked TO accept a peerage and a Secre-
tarvsbip OF State III exchange for the
Chief Secretaryship Of ireland. while IL
Is also proba bic that Harold J. Tenant,
Under Secretary OF State for War Will
go to the upper house. retaining his
post.
Two other Junior members OF the
government may expect promotion
soon. c. r.. G.. Masterman, Financial
Secretary TO the Treasury, has shown
himself WORTHY Of higher rank by his
capable conduct Of the routine work OF
the insurance act. while Thomas J.
MacNamara, Parliamentary Secretary
10 the Admiralty. has proved thor
oughly efficient lieutenant TO Winston
Churchill The promotion Of either
would afford an opening for the ad-
vancement Of Neil Primrose.
Other than these 1t Is not likely that
there will be any important changes
and certainly none that would affect
the policy OF any Of the great depart
ments Mr. Churchill Is quite al home
at the Admiralty, and is likely 10 re-
main.
on the other hand. It il the ardent
wish of Mr. Lloyd Georges opponents
and many Of his more moderate col
leagues that he resign the Chancello'-
ship OF the Exchequer. For many the
pace set by the fiery Welshman is toe
hot. That. however. he Is not likely
10 do. for il is evident that he fully in
tends to prepare the way for his policy
, Of land reform. which is almost certain
TO end In his advocacy OF the single
tax.
Edinburgh, Aug l0.--'rhe Midlothian
Liberal Association has rejected the ad-
III a.