KING AND THE LORDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1187, 24 July 1911, Page 5

KING AND THE LORDS.

NEW PEERS PROMISED. UNIONISTS GIVEN ONE WEEK TO ACCEPT BILL. LIBERAL ULTIMATUM. By Telesraßh—Press AE6ociaUon-OopyrlEh( (Rec. July 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 22. According to present intentions, Mr. Asquith, on Monday, will move the postponement of the debate on the Parliament Bill, to consider the amendments made by the House'of Lords. One week will be given to enable tho Unionist Peers to guarantee that tho Bill will pass as transmitted from tho House of Commons. In default of sucn a guarantee the Government will create a sufficient number of new Peers to ensure the passage of the measure. THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE. KING WILL ACCEPT MINISTERS' ADVICE. London, July 21. The Prime. Minister (Mr.. Asquith), in a letter to Mr. Balfour, states that the Government will advise the House of Commons to disagree with the Lords' amendments to tho Parliament Bill, and will, if necessary, ask the King to exercise his prerogative to secure tho passing of the Bill substantially as it left the Commons. Mr. Asquith adds that his Majesty had signified that he would consider it his duty to accept, and act upon that advice. Mr. Asquitb. announced in the House of Commons that he would keep Monday freo for any proceedings that might bo necessary when the Parliament Bill returned from the House of Lords. • MR. ASQUITH'S COUP D'ETAT, COMMENTS OF THE PRESS. (Rcc. July 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 23. "The Times," in a leading article headed "Mr. Asquith's Coup d'Etat," , denounces the brusque ultimatum as the most violent of alternatives, and aa unconstitutional, unjustifiable, and unprecedented. Tho article adds that, the King is not constitutionally compelled to accept tho advice of his Ministers, tout he is compelled to find someone who will carry on Che Administration. Mr. Balfour's acceptance of this task would ' involve a fruitless dissolution, and the King therefore has no real choice but to accept Mr. Asquith's advice. Mr. Asquith, however, toes the lino at tho bidding of Mr. Redmond and tho Irish Nationalists, but Nemesis assuredly awaits him when he attempts to satisfy the inpossible demand of his Irish masters.

The "Daily Telegraph" (.Unionist) says tho shadow of force majeure is over tho Unionists, and their only course is to enter a straight , protest against tho outrage imposed on them and then abjure all responsibility.

The "Daily News" (Liberal)" declares that tho Parliament Bill is a decisive defeat of tho oligarchy's attempt to win back more than tho ground lost' sinco the Reform Bill of 1832.' '''' ;s ■''■ ■''

The "Morning Post" (Unionist) says that onco the Government obtains the surrender of the' Hoiiso of Lords their triumph over-tho whole field of politics will be complete. A capitulation rneuns utter ruin to tho Unionist party.

UNIONIST CAUCUSES,

London, July 21. Privato meetings of the Conservative party have been held at Mr. Balfour'a house, and of Conservative Peers at Lansdowne House m Berkeley Square. Public opinion is much perplexed in regard to the situation. '

NO LONGER FREE AGENTS,

THE REVOLT OF THE "WILD PEERS."

(Rec. July 24, 0.55 a.m.) i London, July 23. The "Daily Chronicle" ' (Liberal) says Mr. Asquitli's remarkable announcement on the Veto Bill is due to a revolt among the "Wild Peers." Lord Lansdowne had showed that the Unionist leaders should cease their opposition when they ceased to be free agents, and Mr. Asquith's letter was made public thus early in order thaj; tho Tory Peers might know betimes that they were no longer free agents.