The Washington times., 1902-07-20
Tribute to th4 Stability
of England's In
StltutiOnS.
NO EFFECT ON MARKETS
Personality OF Little Count in the Well
Regulated Government Machine-No
Disagreement Between Chamberlain
and Balfour.

AIV-ND%-Ns ShAg l'- - - iA4tS't7A'AN
to withhold at the present moment
some expression of the wonderful
solidity of British Institutions. The
Spectator describes exactly the stu
alton when it says:
Almost in silence, without jar,
with no uproar in Parliament. and no
popular demonstration. the command of
that huge bark, the British Empire,
has been transferred from one hand to
another. The ship moves on undis-
.ions; there is no sign of alarm, no
thought that the course should be al
tered, the speed decreased, or the des-
tination changed. 1t is marvellous tes-
timony to the order which reigns on
board, and all the more sc because the
captain who has disappeared was no
more than a fgurehead.'
Personality Counts Little.
Nothing could be more impressive
than the circumstances of Lord Sails
burys retirement as prime minister
in demonstrating how little personality
counts in the operation OF the great
est machine for human government
which the world has known. The Spec
tator'' metaphor is much truer than
the short t-sighted view taken by the
Saturday Review" when it says:
The declaration of peace and the
illness of the King seem to have ex-
harSrai ha Co.
tion. Nothing else can explain the in
difference with which the mcmentous
ministerial changes OF the past week
have been received by the public Now
that the war is over and the corona
tion has not come off, what can 1t mat
ter who is the prime minister or chan
cellor of the eXchequer?
This is apparently the peoples mo-
tive. 1t is childish enough, no doubt
and is particularly conspicuous among
the business section of the community
The news that the King had undergone
an operation sent funds down three
quarters of ! per cent. The announce
ment that the Marquis of Salisbury had
retired as prime minister. and that Sir
Michael Hicks-B Beach would do likewise
as chancellor of the exchequer in a few
weeks was actually followed by rise
in the commercial barometer, as if some
incubus had been removed
Yet, of course, the sovereign has moth
ing to do with the government, while
the prime minister and the chancellor
of the exchequer fill two of the most
important posts in the ministry"
No Principle Involved.
times Of peace the coming or going of
any man is the meres trile In affect
ing the welfare of the British Empire.
No changes, save those dictated by the
people themselves are OF any moment
1t follows, therefore, that tie discussion
Of the reorganization of ths ministry,
which is now proceeding. is Of little
more than personal interest to the in
dividuals concerned and their friends.
The public at large certainly is inter-
ested, but there is net a single political
principle involved, and popular feeling
is confined to curiosity in regard to the
qualification of individual ambitions. The
lack Of agreement on almost every puint
on the question OF the reconstruction OF
the cabinet is pretty good proof OF the
unreliability of all these rumors.
Non-Political Vice Royalty.
1t is taken for granted that the vice
rovolfv of TraIapd has caaSad to he q
political Office and will no longer carry
q seat in the cabinet. The representa-
tive OF the government at Dublin here
after Will be so-ealled figurehead. with
practically the same functions as the
King. The chief secretary will Join the
Wyndham or a new man the prophets
cannot agree. Mr.. Wyndham will al
most certainly receive cabinet rank. but
possibly as the minister of war
The present rumors are chiefly busy
with the question OF who will succeed
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach as chancellor
OF the exchequer. The names most fire.
Quently mentioned are Mr.. Lowther, Sec
retary for War Brodrick. and Mr. Austen
Chamberlain, financial secretary for the
treasury. The latter suggestion is cou-
pied with report that the colonial sec
retary is more ambitious for his son
than for himself. and It is quite probable
that Austen will reach cabinet rank
perhaps. however. as president OF The
board of trade.
No Friction Existing.
II Is necessary 10 repeat what has
been clearly set forth in these dispatches
there is not the slight
est friction between Mr.. Chamberlain
and Mr. Balfour. The best personal
friendship has existed between the two
men, whose dissimilarties Of tempera-
ment and methods seem TO form a strong
basis of mutual sympathy and attraction.
The truth is that the change in pre-
is more apparent than real.
Mr.. Balfour. having for months past done
the actual work OF the prime minister,
with. of course. the full knowledge OF
his colleagues. II seems probable that
Lord James, Of Hereford, chancellor of
the Duchy OF Lancaster; Lord Ashbourne.