New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-01

AIR CHAMBERLAINS POSITION IN ENG
IIsH POLITICS-HlS PLANS FOR M
PROVING THE NEGLECTED ES-
TATES OF THE EMPIRE.

the most consistent statesman In English puDhc
life. but he is the most interesting figure on the
political stage. Perhaps it is true or him, as
It has been Of Mr.. Gladstone, that the lack OF
continuity in his convictions on questions OF the
day. and the numerous anomalies OF MS career
pioue curiosity and command attention MI
Gladstone In his youth was 1.-The hope Of the
stern unbending Tories; but his public iife was
characterized by a gradual evolution Of political
on,nion from reactionary Conservatism to pro-
gressive and almost revolutionary Radicaiism'
Mr. Chamberlain was a Radical at The opening
Of his career: he was the father or municpal
socialism in Birmingham: he was the intimate
friend OF Sir Charles Dixie. who was at one tlme
almost a Republican; he was strenuous aoVo-
cate OF Church dsestabiishment; and he was
hand in glove with the Irish leaders before
Mr. Gladstones conversion to Home huie' ne 10
now one Of the leaders of Conservative HoV
eminent; Imperial Federation Is his adopteo
child; he is on such familiar terms win the
Prince OF Wales that he can spend week d.
Sandringham; he has aided indirectly In rescu-
ing the English Church from imminent DANGER
81 disestablishment; ard the Irish Nationalist
hate him as they hate no other Engnshnan' me
strong contrasts and marked transitions OF his
career tend to make it intensely interesting
Lord Salisbury and Mr.. Balfour are trust
thing else; ard nothing that they can ever 90
will excite surprise, for their action is predeter-
mined by the whole course of their careers Mr..
Cbamberlain's public life dscoses two distinct
and opposite trends; and nothing can be assumed
respecting his future with any degree or GER
tainty. He has opposed, vehemently, the House
Of Lords in the past, and he may repeat MS
anathemas some day: and. then again. he may
accent a peeiage. He has substituted democratic
Torvism for Radcelism and. even during the
recent canvass. made speeches In favor OF Old
age pensions and State grants for enabling poor
men 10 purchase and own their homes His aroor
for improving the lot OF the common people
b,ch he mas described as the passion Of his life.
may not have abated, and he may succeed IN
forcing his Unionist colleagues to take up vari-
Gus social questions or he may be 50 deeply I'M
mersed in the business Of the Colonial Ohice
that he will cease TO think of the pathos Of pow
er,v and no longer be preoccupied with the
necessity of providing the toiling laborer with
home that will be really his own.
Mr. Chamberlain is a many-sided man OF great
force of character. and his future Is enveloped
with mystery. He is watched more eagerly ana
critically than any else on the poli'icai stage
He is the only member of the Cabinet VINO Is eX-
pected TO do anything that will be OF unique
and far-reaching Importance in the admnstra-
ton Of great oftce
THE PROMISED NEW POLICY.
As Mr. Chamberlain is known to have obtained
under the Unionist Government the office when
he really wanted. it has been generally assumed
that ne would introduce some new principles or
Colonial policy. lie confirmed this popular eX-
pectation when he declared during the snort
session of Parliament that many British colonies
were in the condition OF undeveloped estates.
which could not be improved without impenai
assistance He added that he would be prepared
TO consider carefully any case wherein py d
tudicious investment Of Treasury funds THESE
neglected estates for which British rule hau
done absolutely nothing. might be adequately
developed
These generalities were impressive coming
from the leader who had introduced at Birming-
ham municipal ownership of water, gas and
tramways. and who had transformed the sums
into snlendid business thoroughfares by Invest
nents Of corporation funds that would ulti-
nately enrich the town. 1t seemed 50 promising
a beginning that he was prematurely hailed by
his admirers with loud acclaim as the Colonial
Minister Cor whom the Empire had been impa-
tiently waiting-the one strong man capapie OF
welding the bow Of Ulysses.
Then followed In the course Of a few weeks
his speech at the dinner given in honor OF the
opening OF the Natal-Transvaal Railway. 1t was
a brilliant and eloquent exposition OF the reIa-
lions between the colonies and the mother coun-
Try and the mutual attraction exercised by com
munties having a common origin. history. IAN
guage and love Of liberty Lucid and adroit
was his argument that the English dependencies
IS soon as they found themselves at liberty 10
sever their connection with the parent state De-
came more and more reluctant to do IT, Happily
al
ton as the kind Of dream that lays such hold
upon mems imagnations that 1t has no lltte
chance Of fulhment. Nothing could have been
more sympa athletic than Mr.. Chamberlain's treat
ment of colonial questions in this speech; but
there was something wanting The changes
upon Imperial federation have often been rung
What the colonies were waiting 10 hear about
was some practical method OF developing the
neglected estates OF the Empire and Of restoring
their prosperity.
This week Mr.. Chamberlain has been making
another public temperance as Secretary Tor
the Colonies at dinner given 10 the new Gov
ernor of Western Australia. Two speeches he
delivered in single evening; but beyond ex-
pressing admiration for the governing faculty
displayed by Englishmen when they have a
clear field and their hands are not fettered with
red tape, and charging plaintively upon the OIL
fetal embarras sment caused by the distripuuoh
OF Imperial patronage, especially where Gov
ernors are expected 10 exc out deficiencies or
salary from their private incomes. he seemed to
have little TO say. No large plans OF colonial
policy based upon new principles We're revealed.
The neglected estates for which Enghsh RUE
had done absolutely nothing were passed over
in silence There not one word about the
tudcious investment Of Imperial money by when
the waste places OF the Empire were TO be made
to blossom like the rose.
INDUSTRY. TACT AND GOOD SENSE.
Mr. chamberlain Is a most industrious Min
lister with lucid intelligence for discerning the
salient points Of controversies and with re-
sources Of tact and good sense for settling dis
putes. lie has succeeded in effecting a settle
nent with Khama. the South African chief, which
promises to be satisfactory to all the disputants
He is constantly receiving delegations and in
variably contrives to send them away In good
humor with a favorable impression Of his eXecu-