The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-15
BALFOUR IN CHARGE
NEW PREMIER FORMALLY AS
SUMED LEADERSHIP.
HlCKS-BEACH HAS RESIGNED.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN GAVE AssUR-
ANCES OF SUPPORT.

Policy of Unionist Party VIII Re-
main What 1t Has Been, Says MIR.
BaIfour-Pnid a Tribute to Sails
bury-sir Michael Hicks-Beach's
Retirement Possibly Due to Fear
of Too Much Chamberlain in the
New Cabinet-Earl CadOgan to Re-
tire as Lord Lieutenant of Iceland
and Secretary Wyndham to Be
Promoted to Cabinet.
London, July IA. J. Balfour was
Today formally greeted as Great Brit
aims premier, and the new regime be-
gan its work. The momentous change
was marked by only one really dram
matte incident, namely, the resigna-
ton of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach from
his post of chancellor of the exchequer
Yet this lack of outward show and
public prelude to a new chapter in
English history is by no means repre-
sentative of the disturbance which the
sudden transition created among the
undercurrents of political life. It is
safe to say that Sir Michael Hicks
Beach is only the first of several
whose names have figured large be-
fore the public in the last half century
and who now will disappear from the
political arena. Nothing absolutely
definite is yet settled, but the Unionist
party expects shortly to hear
of the designations or Earl
Halsbury, lord high chancel-
lor Lord James of Hereford,
and Earl Cadogan, lord lieutenant of
Ireland.
Hamburg to Rule Exchequer.
For Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's place
Ri. Hon. r. w. Hamburg, now pres
ident of the board Of agriculture. is
the favorite. In the pending recon
struction, which may not be completed
for some time to come, Mr.. Balfour,
much to the delight of the Unionists,
will remain the leader in the House OF
Commons and first lord OF the treasury,
with Mr.. Chamberlain still IL con-
I.aad OF the colonies, as his first lieu
tenant. II the Earl of Halsbury. on
account OF his great age, fulfils pre-
Gict!ons by retiring, Baron Alverstone
will succeed to the wool sack, Sir
Richard Hem Collins becoming lord
chief justice: Sir R. B. Finlay sue
~ ceeding him as master, of the polls; Sir
Eth carson. now councillor general,
bSaoming attorney general, and prob
ably Charles Alfred Cripps, attorney
general to the Prince of Wales, sue
ceeding to the solicitor generalship.
Commons Discuss Change.
The members of the House of Com
mons, who, throughout the day ami
matedly discussed the new state of af-
fairs, seemed practically unanimous
that Austen Chamberlain, financial
secretary to the treasury, would be
promoted, a majority mentioning him
as likely TO succeed Mr.. Hamburg,
should the latter take the chancellor
ship of the exchequer. Friends of Mr..
Balfour also said he was certain to
require the advice in his cabinet coun-
ellis of his great friend, George Wynd-
ham, 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. Lord Hamilton s
brother -in-law, the Marquis of Lans-
downe, is reg arded 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 an
ticipation of a general election, though
in some quarters it is thought the de-
sire attributed to the King to have
new Parliament after his coronation
might cause an appeal to the country,
though the new premier is not be-
lieved to see any necessity therefor.
Applause Greets Balfour,
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 at
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 ana
ex-ministers except for vacant place
opposite the Mace, where Mr. Balfour
was such 4 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 Mich"
ael Hicks-Beach sat gloomily among
the colleagues he was SO soon to leave.
Suddenly the clatter ceased and
there stole from behind the speaker s
chair the long thin figure of the prime
minister. From all sides of the house
there rose a chorus of Hear! Heart
The members arose and kept up the
applause until Mr. Balfour, who
sided along the treasury bench, nearly
falling over Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's
feet reached his seat and buried his
head in a volruninous question paper.
He was blushing like a school girl.
CampbeII-Bannerma Tribute.
Sir Henry Zimmerman, the
Liberal leader, stopped further ousl-
ness by making such a feeling person.
al reference to Mr.. Balfour as is sell
dom heard in legislative bodies and
which was delivered with an emotion
that quite unnerved the premier. When
Mr.. Balfour arose to reply the ovation
was renewed and his voice faltered,
and he was only just able to hesitat-
ingly declare that he was too overcome
to ind words of thanks.
After Mr.. Balfour's tribute to Lord
Salisbury, which was universally COM
mended for it's tactful reserve, the
mouse was emptied, the members gath
ering on the terrace and in the lobbies
discussing the important features that
the day had brought forth.
Edward Receives New Premier.
King Edward received Mr.. Balfour.
me new premier, in audience to-day at
buckingham Palace and delivered to
MIN the seals of his Office and the
privy seal.
In formally announcing Lord Sails
pury's resignation in the House OF
Lords to-day the Duke of Devonshire
aoded that his lordship had also re-
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