The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-15
Sir Michael Hicks Beach Relinquishes
the Post of Chancellor of
the Exchequer
GRIsT OF RESERVATIONS
TO BE A LARGE ONE
Generous Greeting to the New Premier
by the Parliamentary Leaders of the
Liberals - Joseph Chamberlain
Promises Cordial Support to MIR.
BaIfour-Prospective New Officials.

LONDON, July IA. ]. Balfour
was today formally greeted as Great
Britain's premier, and the new regime
began it's work. The momentouS
change was marked by really one real
ly dramatic incident, namely, the reSlg-
nation of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach.
chancellor of the eXchequer. Yet this
lack of outward show and public pre-
lude to a new chapter in English his
tory is by no means representative OF
the disturbances which the sudden
transition created among the under
currents of political life.
1t is safe to say that Sir Michael
Hicks Beach is only the first of sew
eral whose names have figured nargely
before the public in the last half CEN
tury and who will disappear from the
political arena. Nothing absolutely
definite is yet settled, but the Union
ist party expects shortly to hear of
the designations of Earl Halsbury lord
high chancellor; Lord James, of Her
eford, chancellor of the duchy of Lam
caster, and Earl Cadogan, lord lieuten-
ant of Ireland.
For Sir Michael Hicks -Beach's place,
Right Hon. Hanbury, now president of
the board of agriculture, is the favor
ite. In the pending reconstruction,
which may not be completed for some
time to come, Mr.. Balfour, much to
the delight of the Unionists, will re
main the leader in the house of COM
mons and first lord of the treasury.
n ATN -
of the colonies, as his first lieutenant.
If Earl Halsbury on account of his
great age, fulflls predictions by re-
uring, Baron Alverstone will succeed
to the woolsack, Sir Richard Hem
Collins becoming lord chief justice, Sil
K. B. Finlay succeeding him as master
of the rolls, Sir E. F. Carson, now So
icitor general, becoming attorney gen.
eral, and probably Charles Alfred
Cripps, attorney general to the Prince
of Wales, succeeding to the solicitor
generalship.
In Line for Promotion.
On one point members of the house
Oh commons, who throughout the day
animatedly discussed the new state of
afalrs, seemed practically unanimous,
and that was that Austen Chamber
lain, financial secretary to the treas
ury, would be promoted, a majority
mentioning him as likely to succeed
Mr.. Hanbury should the latter take
the chancellorship of the excheuuer.
Friends of Mr.. Balfour also said he
was certain to require the advice in
his cabinet councils of his great friend
George Wyndham, now chief secretary
for Ireland.
There is no little gossip concerning
some change in the position of Lord
George Hamilton, now secretary of
state for India, one we'll known mem
Der of the house of commons saving he
mad heard that Lord George Hamilton
was among those who would throw uu
their portfolios. Lord Hannilton's
brother-in-law, the Marquis of Lans-
doWne, is regarded as certain to re-
main in the foreign office, where he is
carrying out lines laid down by Lord
Salisbury.
There is apparently no serious antfci-
patlon OF general election, though in
some quarters it is thought the desire
attributed to the king to have a new
parliament after his coronation might
cause an appeal to the country, though
the new premier is not believed to see
any necessity therefor.
In the Commons.
Mr.. Balfour's first appearance in the
house OF commons as premier was
characteristic of the man and of the
assembly. From the party meeting al
the foreign office the members trooped
over en- bloc and shortly after O'Clock
the house was packed. Both front
benches were filled with ministers and
eX-ministers except for a vacant place
opposite the mace, where Mr.. BaIfour
was such familiar figure. Peers
came into the strangers gallery and
leaned eXpectantly upon the rails.
Amid nervous, ceaseless chatter OF
questions which were ratified through
Sir Michael Hicks Beach sat gIoomiIy
among the colleagues he was SO soon
to leave.
Suddenly the .clatter ceased and there
stole from behind the speakers chair
the long, thin figure of the prime min
lister. From all sides of the house
there rose a chorus of "HearI hearIS
The members rose and kept up the an
plause till Mr.. Balfour, who idled along
the treasury bench, nearly falling over
Sir Michael Hicks -Beach's feet reach
ed his seat and buried his head in 2
voluminous question paper. He was
bluShing like a school girl.
Generous Greetinq.
Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman the
Liberal leader, stopped further busi-
ness by making such a feeling persona
reference to Mr. Ealfour as is seldom
heard in legislative bodies and which
was delivered with an emotion thai
quite unnerved the premier When Mr.
Balfour rose to reply the ovation was
renewed, but his voice faltered and he
was only just able, hesitatingly to de.
clare that he was too overcome to 1n6
words of thanks.
After dr. Balfour's tribute to LORD
Salisbury, which was universally com.
mended for it's tactful reserve, the
house was emptied, the members gath
ering on the terrace and in the lobbjes