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Show BRITISH CONGRESS King Edward Will Open Parliament Tuesday, Under Strange and Altered Conditions, Con-ditions, and Will Face Seven Sev-en Distinct Factions. London, Jan. CO. King Edward will open ln full state on February 2nd what prom- lses to bo one of the most Interesting and Important sessions In the history of tho BrltlBh Parliament. Every nation in tho world Is materially concerned In tho divisions di-visions that will shortly occur ln the House of Commons, and upon their result tho future policy of tho British empire must larxoly depend. No govarnment of recent times has evor rofaccd tho leclsla-turfi leclsla-turfi under such altered conditions. Since Purllament adjourned ln Juno last not only has the Cabinet been entirely reconstructed, re-constructed, but the party lines havo been completely broken. Seven distinct factions will tako scats In the House of Commons Tuesday, namely: The followers of Premier Balfour, who favor a policy of tariff retaliation; but who object to protection; tho Chambor-laln Chambor-laln party, who Insist that protection is necessary to the unity of tho empire; the out and out freo traders, who aro opposed op-posed to any tinkering with tho fl3cal systom. The foregoing were all formerly known as Unionists. The Liberals, though they were, almost to a man free tradors, are split up Into two definite factions, one following Sir Henry Campboll-Banncrman and Insisting Insist-ing on homo rule, and the other regarding regard-ing Lord Roscbexry as their logical lead, and refusing to make homo rulo a plank of their platform. The Labor party complotes tho triple division of the Liberal free trade ranks. John Redmond and tho Irish party mako the sovonth faction. POLITICIANS AT SEA. In view of thjs complex state of affairs, largely due to cvoots since Parliament last met, tho most astute politicians soundly confess themselves to bo at seca. So many Cabinet Ministers. Including Joseph Jo-seph Chamberlain, Charles T. Rltchlo and Lord George Hamilton, will bo absent from the tront bench Tuesday that the oldest Parliamentary hands will scarcely be ablo to distinguish between tho supporters sup-porters and opponents of tho Government on tho fiscal question. The Duko of Devonshire, Lard Avebury, Mr. Goscheen, Sir John Gorst, Lord Georgo Hamilton, Lord Hugh Cecil, Winston Spencer Churchill and many others ldontlfled with the present party In power will be. Mr. Balfour's most bitter opponents tho moment mo-ment tho ljscil question Is raised. That will como quickly, for John Morley Intends In-tends to Introduce an amendment to tho King's speech on this nolnt. It is possible though hardly probablo that Mr. Morley may turn out the Government Tho de-bato de-bato Is likely to take up several days. Strenuous efforts aro now making to gt tho freo trade Unionist membors not only to obstaln from voting, but to oponly Join tho Liberal forces In tho opposition lobby. However, cvon If this Is accomplished and tho Duko of Devonshire's followers make, common causo with the liberals under tho leadership of Lord Rosebcrry It would not constitute a solution of the differences of opinion which oxlct between Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and tho Liberal ex-Promlcr. ex-Promlcr. Tho best informed persons say that even In tho event of a temporary coalition of all tho freo trade forces tho Irish party has the deciding vote, and nil Indications point to John Redmond keeping keep-ing Mr. Balfour ln power. But as' Mr. Redmond docs not make pledges tho Irish party throughout the session Is likely to bo an uncertain factor. That will heighten height-en interest, and any day mako It posalblo for Mr. Balfour to be deposed. IRISH PARTY'S POSITION. The Irish party's tentative support of the Government Is understood to be duo to the assurance of Georgo Wydham, the chief secretary for Ireland, that he will establish a Catholic university at Dublin and will amend the Irish land purchase act. Despite this, however, Mr. Redmond Intends to attack tho King's speech with a homo rulo amendment. It Is not likely to be attended by serious results, but the schisms of the English parties swept by a storm of conflicting liscal convictions, are generally admitted to constitute Ireland's Ire-land's opportunity and Mr. Redmond Is not the only leader in the House who can rely upon tho consistent, solid support on all occasions of his followers. Tho King's speech is likely to first deal with British neutrality ln the far Eastern crisis. It will undoubtedly outline tho proposed domestic legislation, tho chief Item of which will be tho prohibition of the Immigration of destitute aliens, on tho lines now ln forco in tho United States. Iti migrants who aro permitted to land will be subjected to a system of registration registra-tion and will be compelled to report themselves them-selves to tho registrar of births and deaths of tho district In which they reside. Any district becoming congested can be prohibited pro-hibited to aliens. Besides the amendments by Messrs. Morley and Redmond, tho Government will bo attacked on the report of tho war committee. com-mittee. This will be taken up by William S. Robson, the Liberal. Another amendment amend-ment will be moved by David Lloyd Georgo, tho Liberal, denouncing tho Government's Gov-ernment's recent education act, and tho employment of Chlneso labor ln the Transvaal Trans-vaal Is likely to come in for sevcro criticism. criti-cism. A fow months ago those topics would nave attracted intense intorest and might havo driven tho Government Into a corner. cor-ner. Now they nro almost forgotten In I the question of tho hour free trado vs. protection which has put British policies at sixes and sevens. Many members of the House of Commons scarcoly know their own mind as yet on the vital topic, and several are undecided on which sldo of tho House to sit when the King convenes con-venes Parliament next Tuesday. |