The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-07-15
PREMIERSHIP OF ENGLAND
DEVOLVES UPON FOUR
New Prime Minister EuIogizes His Predecessor
Chancellor of Exchequer Also Retires.
Lord Chamberlain Said to Be Anxious Succeed Hicks Beach
Other designations Are Anticipated

r ONDON, July IA. ]. Balfour was
today formally greeted as Great
Britains premier, and the new
regime began its work. The momentous
change was marked by only one really
dramatic incident, namely. the resigna-
ton of Sir Michael Hicks-B from
his post of chancellor Of the eXchequer.
Yet this lack of outward show and pub
lie prelude to a new chapter in English
history is by no means representative
of the disturbance 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 several
whose names have figured largely be-
fore the public in the last century. and
who will disappear from the political
arena. Nothing absolutely definite is
yet settled, but the unioniSt party eX-
poets shortly to hear of the resigna-
lions of Earl Halsbury, Lord High
Chancellor James of Hereford. chan
cellor of the duchy of Lancaster. and
Earl Cadogan, lord lieutenant of Ire
land.
For Sir Michael Hicks Beach's place,
Right Hon. Robert William Hamburg,
now president of the board of agricul-
ture, is the favorite. In the reconstruc-
ton, which may not be completed for
some time to come, Mr.. BalfOur, much
to the delight of the unionists, viii re-
main the leader of the house of COM
mons and first lord of the treasury,
with Mr.. Chamberlain still in command
of the colonies, as his first lieutenant.
If Earl Halsbury. on account of his
age, fuIfills predictions by retiring,
Baron Alverstone viii succeed to the
woolsack, Sir Richard Hem Collins be-
coming lord chief Justice, Sir R. B.
Finlay succeeding him as master of
rolls; Sir E H. Carson, now solicitor
general. becoming attorney general,
and probably Charles Alfred Grips,
attorney general to the Prince of
Wales. succeeding to the solicitor gen
eralshio-
On one point the members of the
house of commons who, throughout the
day, animatedly discussed the new
state of affairs. seemed practically
unanimous. and that was that Austen
Chamberlain, financial secretary to the
treasury, would be promoted, a ma
jority mentioning him as likely to sue
coed Mr.. Hamburg, should the latter
take the CHARACTERISTIC of the exche-
Quer.
May Advance Wyndham-
Friends of M. Balfour also said he
( was certain to require the advice in
his future 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 member of the house of COM
mons saying that he had heard that
Lord George Hamilton was among
those who would throw up their port
fOliOs. Lord Hamilton's brOther-in-laW,
the Marquis of LansdoWne, is regarded
as certain to remain in the foreign Of
fee, where he is carrying out lines laid
down by Lord Salisbury.
There is apparently no anticipation
of a general election, though in some
quarters il is thought the desire at
tributed to the king to have a new par
lament after his coronation might
cause an appeal to the country, though
the new premier is not believed to see
/ any necessity therefor.
Mr. Balfour's first appearance in the
house of commons as premier was
characteristic of the man and of the
/ assembly. Both front benches were
I filed with ministers and ex-ministers
except for a vacant place opposite the
mace, where Mr.. Balfour was such q
/ familiar figure. Peers came into the
strangers gallery and leaned expect
antly upon the rails. Amid nervous
/ ceaseless chatter of questions which
were ratified through. Sir Michae
! Hicks-Beach sat gloomily among the
/ colleagues he was to soon leave Sud
/ denly the clatter ceased. and there stole
4 from behind the speakers chair the
/ long, thin figure of the prime minister
/ From all sides of the house there rose
a chorus Of Hear. hear
Balfour Embarrassed
The members rose and kept up the
I applause until Mr. Balfour, who sidIeC
! along the treasury bench, nearly falling
over Sir Michael Hicks Beach's feet
/ reached his seat and buried his head II
a voluminous question paper He was
biushing like school girl.
I Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman. tbs
/ liberal leader. stopped further business
by making such a feeling personal ref.
| erence to Mr.. Balfour as is seldom
heard in legislative bodies and which
was delivered with an emotion tina
quite unnerved the premier. When Mr.
BalfOuT rose to reply. the ovation was
renewed, but his voice faltered and h,
| was only just able hesitatingly TO de
clare that ne was too overcome to FIND
words of thanks. After Mr.. Balfour'.
| tribute to I.ord Salisbury, which wa:
universally commended for its tactfu
reserve. the house was emptied, tn,
members gathering on the terrace and
| insthe Hobbies. discussing the important
features that the day had brough
forth
Perhaps never has change of pre-
/ miership been effected with so LITTLE
| dislocation to business, either public o.
/ private, as accompanied the transfer o
tho seals IF ofF1po from Lord CaIfSb1r1~,