Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-07-14
S NEPHEW A. J. BALFoUR SUCCEEDS HIN
shrewdly Timed When Chamberlain IL
Unable to Play in the Game.
is RENDERED FRIDAY
Had Been Expected for sOms Time and
Causes No Surprise,
POOR HEALTH AND OLD AGE THE REASONS
Speculation IL Now rife ms to Reor-
ganiEntion of the Cabinet
Irish Leaders Like
the Change,

the ChnnRe.
Copyright, 1902, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, July 13.--(New York Cable
gram-Special Telegram. Lord Salisbury's
resignation and Arthur Balfours advance
ment to the premiership at the moment
when Joseph Chamberlain was stricken by
accident and is incapactated from fighting
for his own hand, is regarded In all po-
liticai circles here as one OF the cleverest
and most cynioally unscrupulous pieces OF
political intrigue in English history.
Salisbury rendered his resignation on
Friday and recommended to the king to
send for his nephew, who went and accepted
and took up the reforming OF the ministry,
which was dissolved by Salisbury's sur
render OF the seals OF office
Having accepted, Balfour went to Cham
belain, on his sick bed under the impera-
tive injunctions of his doctors to avoid all
worry and excitement. informed him of
what had happened and asked for his CO.
operation. If Chamberlain had been on
his feet he would certainly have made tight
against the arrangement, which, in view
Of his age, virtually puts the magnificent
prize for which he has been scheming all
these years, beyond his grasp. But under
| the malign circumstances in which he was
| placed he had nothing to do except to ac-
| quiesce. 1t is said he has written a cor
dial letter to be read at tomorrow's meet
ing Of the unionist party, in which he prom
ises most loyal support to Balfour. He
could do nothing else. His son, Austen
| Chamberlain, now financial secretary OF the
treasury, it is believed will be taken into
the cabinet postmaster general-this as
a salve to the colonial secretary's disap-
pointed ambition. 1t is equivalent to at
tempting to satisfy the blood hunger of
a tiger with a lump Of candy
| There is no reason for a change In the
premiership at this precise, moment, ex-
| cept that Chamberlain was at a disadvant-
age, and the action Of Salisbury in subject
Ing the king to possibly dangerous excite
ment merely to insure easy promotion for
his nephew is naturally much criticised. But
1t is said that the king dreaded the possible
ity Of Chamberlain premiership so pro-
foundly that It was a relief to him that this
particular danger to the country had been
! averted. 's7 Fr-f -a-'-
salisburys retirement means no change
of policy, but Balfour will have great dini-
Guilty in resisting outside pressure for the
reconstruction Of the cabinet and the cast
ing out of several useless members. Other
wise the cabinet would be weaker than be-
fore. and general election cannot be
STAYED off for another session.
|
LONDON, July 1S.-The fact Of the resig.
nation of the premiership OF Great Britain
by Lord Salisbury, as foreshadowed in the
dispatches of the Associated Press. was
officially given out this evening. The prime
minister laid down the responsibility Of hIA
office July IL. Within twenty-four hours
his majesty elevated Mr.. A. ]. Bafour the
governments chief representative in the
House of Commons, to the position Of pre-
mier. While it was expected in oficiaI and
political circles that Lord Salisburys retire,
ment would be coinoident with the corona.
tion Of King Edward, II was ecarcely looked
for prior to that event. Consequently about
the only surprise expressed as the news
spread through London concerned the date
rather than the fact of the resolution. The
interest was not so much in the withdrawal
OF Lord Salisbury as 1t was In the appoint
ment OF his successor
The liveliest speculation is rife as the
personnel OF the new cabinet. The most
discus sed feature of the pending changes ID
the position Of Mr.. Chamberlain. the col.
onial secretary. who in many quarters has
been regarded as the most promising can.
didate for the premiership.
representative OF the Associated Press
learns hat prior to the acceptance of his
new office Mr.. Balfour first had an inter.
view with Mr.. Chamberlain and then con.
suited with his other cabinet assistantA
This is regarded as assurance that the fu.
ture relative positions OF Messrs. BalfouI
and Chamberlain will be satisfactory Ia
both. Mr.. Chamberlain's friends say he al.
ways recognized the reversion Of the pre-.
miership to Mr.. Balfours right as leader
Of the House Of Commons.
Arranged a Month Ago.
His retirement was practically arranged
at an audience of Lord Salisbury with the
king a month ago, to be coincldent with
his majesty's coronation. but the kings
illness interfered with these plans and
compelled Lord Salisbury to wait until
his majesty was sufficiently recovered ID
attend to state business.
Though alert mentally, the retiring pre-
miers physical condition, especalll since
the death of his wife, has not been sat.
isfactory. That loss seemed TO AFFECT him
greatly and since that time he has done
little entertaining beyond purely officlaI
annual dinners and receptions. In a social
, aspect. however, Mr.. Bafour accession ia
not expected to make much difference,
neither Mr.. Balfour nor his sister, who
acts as his hostess, being very fond OF
society.
Although Lord salisbury's resignation
does not necessarily involve the recon-
struction OF the cabinet Il Is believed there
will be some changes. 1t is not considered
unlikely that some OF the ministers Will
/, be made peers in order to make room for
new blood in the cabinet. 1t has been the
: idea that Mr.. Balfour would be elevated
4 to the peerage, leaving Mr.. Chamberlain 70
? lead in the House OF Commons. the notion
being that this arrangement would be the
!, best TO conciliate the divergent interests
OF the cabinet; but it is understood that
: at any rate for the present. Mr.. BalfouI
will continue to lead the Commons.
? The Associated Press learns that Lord
Salisbury in resigning expressed the de-
sire that no new title or honors should
Z be conferred upon him.
The retirement Of this last great states
n man OF the Victorian age is universally re-
. garded as the transition from one genera
tion to another and as marking the close
= Of an era in the national life.
The main reason Of Premier saliEbury'l
withdrawal is considered by all the bes