The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-22
Adoption of an Amendment to
Reduce the War Sec
retary'S Salary.
AN OVERTHROW INEVITABLE.
With 1t All Comes the Retirement
of the Duke of Cambridge,
Army Chief.

LONDON, Eng, June 21.-The downfall
of Rosebery's Government came tonight
unexpectedly, although so long looked for.
BY majority of the House adopted an
amendment to the War Department re-
ducing the salary of Campbell Bannerlnan,
Minister of War. by f10O.
The latter Immediately gave notice of
his resignation, and the Cabinet meets to-
morrow to decide whether or not to resign
in body
1t is difficult to see how it is possible to
avoid appealing at once to the country.
Indeed, the overthrow OF the Liberal Gov
ernment seems inevitable and the time
OF attack had been carefully planned by
the opposition.
The Queen is tonight on her wav from
Scotland to Windsor, where she will arrive
tomorrow morning, and where she prob
ably expects an official call from the
Prime Minister.
In the House proceedings began bv Fl.
Campbell Bannerman, Secretary of State
for War, announcing that the Duke of
Cam bridge would retire from the COM
mand of the army.
Mr.. Bannerman in announcing the COM
ing retirement of the Duke of Cambridge
as commander-in-chief of the British army
said:
cat the close of the financial year his
royal highness, the Duke of Cambridge,
will relinquish the position of chief in
! command of the British forces, which
he has held so long. He has de-
voted his whole life to the service
and has identified himself with the army.
1t is hardly possible that any one
engaged in the civil administration of the
army can make this announcement with
out emotion. We can look back with ad-
miration and gratitude on his long career,
which has been distinguished by censis-
tent zeal and marked by marvellous i'm
| provements in the army. His resignation
has imposed on the Government a serious
task. The Duke Of Cambridge cannot be
succeeded by any officer who combines
such large and varied powers and abili-
| ties
The Government, he said, would accent
and proceed in the premises upon the prin-
ciples of the Duke of Devonshire's scheme
of an army commission embodying a plan
whereby the Secretary of State for War
would be advised by deliberatiye council
composed of experienced officers. GCries
of ''hear."1
Mr.. Balfour said that the members of
the House must all feel that the severance
| of the Duke of Cambridge's connection
with the army was an event which must
move the country for the moment. but
they must exclude this feeling from their
consideration of practical questions which
could not be long deferred. 1t was certain.
however, that they would never find any
man who would inspire greater affection
in the army or who would be animated by
any higher sense of public duty as well as
his duty to the Queen and Parliament
Mr.. Bannerman further said that the
office OF commander-in-chief of the army
would be maintained, but his functions
would be greatly modified. He would pc
subject to the ordinary rules affecting staff
officers, and his office would be tenable for
period of ten years, which term would be
capable OF extension if desirable. The
commander-in-chiefw would be the principal
military adviser of the Secretary of State
for War, whose council would consist of
five general officers.
During the debate on the war elements
the Hon. st. John Broderick, Conservative
member for the Guildford district of Surrey
asked for certain information in regard to
the present supply of arms and ammuni.
ton.
Mr.. Campbell-Bannerman said that thI
estimate comprehended enough to meet
the current needs.
Mr.. Broderick was not satisfied with this
answer, and moved that the salary of the
Secretary of State for War be reduced GEu
to cover what he alleged was a deficit
the army stores.
A short and sharp discussion ensue,
after which division was taken, and tn.
Government was defeated by 132 to 1856
The defeat of the Government on a cues.
ton of the estimates was received with a
deafening volley of Conservative cheers.
Bannermann moved that the committee
reporting on the estimates be agreed to.
Mr.. Balfour asked if the Government pro-
posed to take up further business thia
evening. After much discussion it was
agreed to proceed with the naval works
bill.
mpbell-Bannermann contended that
the estimate for small arms was ample to
render possible the mobilization of three
army corps of 10000 men with sufficient
ammunition.
The Right Hon. A. j. Balfour. the Con-.
servative leader in the House, held than
the vote asked would not provide proper
supply of arms
The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain,
the Liberal Unionist leader, said that tn,
i supply on hand was long way behind
what the Japanese army had when it tool,
| the field.
The Right Hon. George J. Goschen, foro
merly Chancellor of the Exchequer, said
he concluded, after listening to the debate,
that in using the word reserve in its ordi1
nary sense Great Britain had no reserve,
at all.
The division was then taken. The resuIt
| surprised both sides. The Unionists
cheered. Mr.. Chamberlain seemed to
! dance in his excitement.
After the House had again calmed down