The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-14

London concerned the date, rather
than the fact of the resignation. The
real interest-Was not SO much in refer
ence to Lord Salisbury's withdrawal as
it was in the appointment of his sue
cessor.
New Cabinet.
The liveliest speculation is rife as to
the personnel of the new cabinet. The
most discussed feature of the pending
change is the position of Mr.. Chamber
lain, the colonial secretary, who in
many quarters has been. regarded as
the most promising candidate for the
premiership.
Prior to the acceptance of his new
Office Mr.. Balfour first had an inter-
view with Mr.. Chamberlain and then
consulted with his other cabinet as
Sistants. This is regarded as assur-
ance that the future relative positions
of Messrs. Balfour and Chamberlain
will be satisfactory to both. Mr.. Cham
berlain's friends say he always recog-
niZed the reversion of the premiership
to be Mr.. Balfour's right as govern
ment leader in the house of commons.
Prefers Private Life.
AS to Lord SaliSbury'S withdrawal,
the main reason is considered by prac-
tically all the best informed persons
to have been simply desire for a
quiet life on the part of a man ad-
vanced in years, whose activities have
been unusual and whose scientific
tastes predispose him to study and
seclusion.
That the retiring premier's health
has failed to some extent is undeni-
able; but this is not more than, per-
haps, is to be expected in a man of
his years, and the close of the war in
South Africa and the return of the
commanding general there, is consider
ed to be an appropriate time for his
withdrawal.
Sized Up by O'Connor.
Thomas Power O'Connor, M. p, in
an interview, thus summed up the sit
uation:
"The resignation of Lord Salisbury
was expected in connection with the
coronation of King Edward, but when
the coronation did not take place there
grew up an idea that perhaps the pre-
mier'S resignation was indefinitely
postponed. Old men cling to power,
and it is supposed that Lord Salisbury
was not free from the weakness of so
many others. This prospect did not
satisfy his colleagues. Lord Sails
bury's health has been notoriously in
different, especially since the death of
his wife.
His extreme obesity is, of course,
inconsistent with activity, either of
mind or body, and there were whispers
that he was sometimes overcome by
sleep in the midst of momentous cabi-
net councils, and that he only woke
when the discordant voices of Joseph
Chamberlain, the colonial secretary,
and Sir Michael Hicks Beach, chancel-
lor of the exchequer, the two chief op-
ponents in the cabinet, reached an un-
usually high pitch.
Want of Grip.
"Once or twice, too, lately, in the
house of lords he has shown a certain
want of grip that was almost painful.
For instance, when the terms of peace
in South Africa had to be announced
he calmly asked the house of lords
whether they desired to hear the words
of Lord Kitchener's dispatch, as though
the communication was really of little
or no Importance.
Probably his resignation now has
been influenced partly by the desire
to make sure of the succession being
i'll the Cecil family, and still more with
view to preventing the accession of
Mr.. Chamberlain. No man could be