New-York tribune., 1919-10-25
Cabinet Likely
To Stay Despite
Commons Vote
British Press, However. Is
Unanimous in Belief Gov
ernment Can't Withstand
Another Defeat i'm House
Called an Open Revolt
Attempt Seen to Regain the
Power Surrendered to the
Ministry During the War

LONDON, Oct. 24-Political exnerte
and the editorial utterances in the pa
pers this morning generally express
the view that no one expects the gov
ernment to resign as a result of the
adverse vote Of 1856 to 113 in the
house of Commons yesterday, and that
the circumstances o: the defeat of the
pilots amendment Of the alien bill in
no wise need entail such a step. The
incident, however, is regarded on all
s'des as one which has given the ad-
mln1s1ratlon severe shock, a repe-
tlt1on OF which 1t could hardly survive.
The vote Is generally described as an
assertion Of the independence Of the
House OF Commons and a revolt against
the alleged dictation of ministers-a
determination to reassert the suprenl-
acy which the Commons surrendered
to the Cabinet during the war
Carson Leads Opposition
More than one hundred supporters Of
the Coalition Cabinet, among whom Sir
Edward Carson was conspicuous, voted
against the government. These repre-
sented the intense anti-alien feeling
prevailing among the conservative
coalitionists and the fear that the gov
eminent is trying in the present stage
Of the bill to annul amendments which
those hostile to aliens secured in the
committee stage.
Some surprise is expressed that the
labor members and the so-called Free
Liberals Joined in the vote against the
government on this Issue, thereby iden-
! tifying themselves with the anti-alien
faction, contrary to the avowed princi-
pies of their leaders.
1t Is believed in some quarters that
the government on Monday will ask
the House to reconsider tho vote, and
in view Of certain circumstances it is
regarded as possible that the House
may comply. These circumstances
concern the convention entered into
between Great Britain and France in
1918. in which it was agreed that
French pilots might bring French
ships into certain English ports and
that English pilots should be granted &
reciprocal privilege in French ports.
Government May Denounce 1t
1t is contended that unless the
House of Commons revises yesterday 3
vote the government will be compelled
to derounee the convention and incur
the reproach Of treating the compact
as 20 scrap Of paper"
The anti-alien reply to this is that the
convention was concluded secretly and
tHdt 4UIOAfnhsloti ADOub IL was ufhRSeO
from & reluctant government only
during yesterdays debate. Dissatisfac-
1ion also is oppressed at the way in
which Edward Short, Home Secretary
handled the bill in Commons, strength
| ening the belief that he probably will
resign
Opposition to any change in fiscal
policies Of the nation and plea for
careful consideration Of the situation
before the country we're expressed in
count Miner, Secretary of State for
government BY Lord Bucknaster. who
introduced resolution calling atten-
tion to the gravity of the financial po-
sition," and suggesting the necessity
for the imposition of additional taxes
Deprecates Panicky Views
81 deprecate the panicky views which
are prevalent regarding the country's
financial position" said Viscount Mil
ner, whose statements were considered
Rs the government view Of the stua-
Far less serious than that in any other
great country, with the possible excep-
tion Of the United States and Japan
1t certainly does not Justify any rash
changes in the fiscal system, and nc
proof has been given that additional
taxation is necessary. Nothing should
be done until after deliberate and care
full study. lrreparable mischief might
be done to the recovery Of trade and
industry by recourse to such an expe-
dent as a general capital levy, which
has been proposed by Lord Buckmss-
ter"