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

more averse than is Lord Salisbury to
supreme power being in the hands of
so 1mpulsive, restless and arrogant A.
pontlcal bedfellow. By necessity, Lord
Salisbury and Mr.. Chamberlain re-
ma1ned apart, and were secretly hostile
to each other.
In addition, the accession Of Mr..
Chamberlain might involve the imme-
date dismissal of Lord Cranborne, un-
der secretary for the foreign office, and
the Earl of Selborne, first lord of the
admiralty, one the son and the other
the son-in-law of Lord Salisbury. and
1t must also have meant such a paling
or the star of Mr.. Balfour as to prac-
ucally destroy his prestige.
Use Him, but Don't Like Him. y.
'It is doubtful, in any case, whether
the rank and file of the Tory party
would have accepted Mr.. Chamberlain
willingly. They use him, but they do
not like him. There is a certain sec
ton of young Tories who do not love
Balfour, thinking him slack, decadent
and lethargic, but he is still the darling
of straight Conservatives. and his an
po1ntment will be even more popular
with his political opponents than with
his political friends. Despite his MANY
faults, Mr.. Balfour remains the most
popular figure in the house of COM
mons, and his very faults help him in
n
also courteous, tolerent and broad
minded, and he will not insult other
nations as Mr.. Chamberlain has done.
His tongue is well under restraint. and
ne has all the instincts of a gentle-
man.
regard the change as beneficial to
ireland, in the long run. Mr.. BaIfour
has had much experience with Ireland,
and though he is not yet a home ruler.
all his old animosity has disappeared.
and he is just the man to propose a So
luton of the long standing difficulty.
But Mr. Balfour does not come into
offlce as very happy man. The edu-
cation bill, which he is plotting through
the house of commons, arouses tre-
mendous religious passion on both
sides, and 1t is doubtful if he will be
able to carry it through without such
concessions to his political opponents
as will exaSperate some of his own DO
litical friends. The aftermath of the
war also has come, and the majority Of
the government, though large, is want
ing in cohesion. But it is useless Spec
ulating further; the unexpected is al
ways the dominant factor in Enslish
politics.
Salisbury's Health Poor.
Lord Salisbury's retirement was
practically arranged at an audience of
Lord Salisbury with the king a month
ago, to be coincident with his maiesty's
coronation, but the kings illness inter-
Tered with these plans, and compelled
Lord Salisbury to wait until his mai
esty was sufficiently recovered to at
tend state business. Although able
mentally, the retiring premier's physi-
cal condition, especially since the death
OF his wife, has not been satisfactory.
The least thing seems to affect him.
During the laSt"year he has done but
little entertaining, beyond purely Of
hclal annual dinners and receptions.
In social aspect, however. Mr. Bal
four'S accession is not expected to
make much difference, both Mr.. Bal
four and his sister, who acts as hostess,
being very fond of society.
Although the retirement of Lord SAL
1sbury will not necessitate the recon
struction of the cabinet, it is expected
some changes will be made 1t is
thought some of the ministers will be
made peers in order to make room for
the new blood.
Chamberlain for House Leader.
1t has been the impression that Mr..
Balfour would be elevated to the peer
age, leaving Mr.. Chamberlain leader
In the house of commons, this arrange
ment being considered best to pacifv
the divergent interests of the cabinet.
but 1T is understood that, at any rate
for the present, Mr.. Balfour will con-
tnue to lead the commons.
Lord Salisbury, in resigning, express
ed the desire that no new titles or hon
ors should be conferred upon him. The
retirement of this last great statesman
OF the Victorian age is greatly regret
ted as the transition of one generation
to another, and as marking the end of
the Victorian era.
To Be Ratified.
The changes in the premiership
have been officially announced in the
Court Circular, and the announcement
has been issued from Downing street.
and will be ratified at a meeting Of
the whole Conservative party, peers
and commoners, convened for tomor-
row.
Mr.. Chamberlain's wound is healing
well, but the doctors still enjoin abso-
lutte rest, so he will be unable to at
tend this meeting.
The Times says:
Our relations with all powers.
great and small, are excellent, and
seem to promise us the enjoyment of
continued tranquility abroad. Lord
Salisbury has the proud qualification
of feeling, as he recommends his kins-
man as his successor, that in no filter
or more worthy hands could power be
placed"
Life Work of Retiring Premier.
Reviewing Lord Salisbury's life
work, the Times says:
Another precious achievement has
been the steady building up, in circum-
stances of no small difficulty of the
excellent understanding that now ex-
lists between Great Britain and the
United States. That has been the chief
work of his last years in office. 1t is
fitting crown for a life or successful
and honorable service, devoted to the
highest interests of the British people,"
The Times states that Lord Sails
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