The sun., 1896-01-12
THE MAN oFTHE HOUR IN ENGLAND


Tho Trnasvaal Episode Has Made Mr..
Chanberlain the Idol OF the Pubiic
-His Ego Fixed ON the Premiership.
Special Cable Despatch to THE BUN.
LONDON, Jan. 1.-THE British politicia ians who
have regarded the Transvaal crisis from q party
point Of view are impressed moro than by any
thing else with tho great advantage Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain has derived from 1t. 1t is not too
much to FAY that he 10 at this moment the most
popular public man in this country. All parties
regarded his accession to ONCE with misgivings,
and his own personal friends and blindest par.
tisans feared that he would lose his individuality
in Cabinet Overwhelmingly Tory and presided
over by his old adversary. Lord Salisbury.
AS events have turned out Mr.. Cham mberlain
from tho first aimed to assert himself. He
struck out line Of policy in tho conduct Of
colonial affairs as daring as 1t WAS novel. and
this ex-republican Mayor of Birmingham, this
politician who learned Craftsmanship In pro-
vincial municipal school. this ex.Iiberal Minis-
tor who deserted his chief and his principles
with what appeared to bo shameful ingratitude
and fippaucy. had not been three months q
member of tho Tory Cabinet before he began 10
obtain reputation as leader in a now impe-ia!st
policy in the treatment of colonial affairs which
had too long been mismanaged by mere bureau
Gratis.
Mr.. Chamberlain saw the opportunity and was
quick to seize 1t. He was already making a big
reputation when this prodirious piece of luck
came in his way. For many years past tho con-
duct Of colonial affairs has been SO fiabby that
when the people saw Minister displaying cour-
age, tenacity. and sagacity they set up great
shout Of admiration and thankfulness. Tho
mob always admire n man OF action, and 80 they
are admiring Mr.. Chamberlain.
He cannot walk along the street without being
followed by q cheering crowd, and people Ms
semble at the railway stations when he Is travel
ling and throw up their hats and howl encourag-
ing approval and exhortation at the popular
idol. His friends say this sort OF thing will
never spoil him.
In his heart Mr.. Chamberlain is a demagogo
with thorough contempt for the mob. and he
pursues his way with his eyes always on the
goal of his ambition, which is and ever has
been the Premiership of England. He has
passed most OF his rivals In this exciting and
deeply interesting race. Mr.. Gladstone being
disqualified by age. Mr.. Chamberlain feared no
other comp mpetitor. and events have justified his
confidence.
Sir William Harcourt has become impossible
as leader OF the regenerated Liberal party. He
may be depended upon to lend a lively oppos-
tion in tho House of Commons during the
coming session. but when the country once
more swings round to Liberalism Sir William
Harcourt will retire t. tho dignited seclusion
of the House of Lords. Tho reversal Of his for
tunes was pathetically illustrated only yester.
day. when he appeared In his new capacity as .
Welsh member Of Parliament and member OF q
deputation which waited upon the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, suing humbly for small
grant from the imperial treasury in support OF
the University OF Wales.
Mr.. John Morley, who ought to be Mr.. Cham
| berlain's most formidable competitor, shows no