The Calumet news., 1912-02-19
ANTS ARE In The MAJORITY
Success, However, Is Looked For
in Next Session
Campaign is Reaching Critical Point
and Acrimonious Debates Are
Looked Forward To.


London, Feb. 19.-The present week
promises to bring the women's suf-
frage campaign to a critical point and
it IS even within the range of possi-
Gility that the question will reach its
climax by being brought squarely be-
fore Parliament. In anticipation Of the
impending submission 10 the House of
Commons of a women's suffrage bill
the advocates of woman's suffrage and
the opponents of woman's enfrran-
chisement have made their plans for
last, tremendous effort. on Friday a
under the auspices of the National I'm
ion of Women Suffrage Societies and
Mr.. Lloyd George. the Chancellor Of
the EXchequer, will be the principal
speaker. The last gun of the anti-suf-
fragists will be fired on Wednesday
the auspices of the National League
for Opposing Woman Suffrage will be
held at Albert Hall. Lord Cromer. the
president of the organization will pre-
side at that meeting and Lord Cromer,
Lord Loreburn. Mr. Harcourt and a
number of prominent Unionists will be
among the speakers.
May Cause a Crisis.
The woman's suffrage question was
not matter of national political i'm
portance in it's early stages, but il
gained enormously in Importance when
Chancellor LloydGeorge openly es-
poused the cause of "votes for women"
Never before had high government
official i'm England championed the
cause, until MIR. Lloyd-George entered
the lists. ready to fight for the fran
chisc principle and TO carry the con-
test directly before the House of Com
mons. The fact that he and the Prime
Minister. Mr.. Asquith, are on opposing
sides on this important issue. makes
the situation even more acute and there
are many who believe that the wo-
mans franchise issue will cause
split not only in the cabinet but in the
Liberal party and may, eventually,
precipitate a national crisis in the poll
tical situation.
Little Hope of Success.
A sharp line of demarcation divides
the entire cabinet into two hostile
camps. While the "antis." led by Pre-
mier Asquith, have a majority of the
holders of portfolios on their side,
their margin numbers only two. So
far as Is known the ants also have
a considerable majority in Parliament
and, unless some unforeseen compli-
cation should arise. there is but little
probability that the House of Com
mons WILL at this time, accept the prin-
ciple of women's franchise The suf-
frage sympathizers hope, however, to
create so much sentiment for votes
for women" that the proposition will
he sure OF acceptance in the next par
lament
Better Debates Expected.
The differences over the suffrage
question have caused a considerable
strain OF the relations between Pre-
mier Asquith and Chancellor Lloyd
btOi &c anu IL 10 ttiAViohS pNhNNNu N''N'N
complete rupture between them is
merely a matter of time. II is difficult
to see how disaster TO the Liberal party
can be averted under these conditions.
Mr.. Lloyd -George intends TO bring
the suffrage matter before the Com
mons In the form Of an amendment to
the reform bill. The ingenious device
by which, under cover of the plea that
the matter is a non-party one. the
endeavor will be made to get the House
of Commons TO accept the proposal
without government responsibility. viii
probably add to the acrimony OF the
debates on the floor Of the House. The
battle promises to be extremely spec
tacular and will attract intense
throughout the country.