Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-14
England's New Premier.

Lord Salisburys retirement from public
life and the premiership of England occurs
somewhat sooner than was generally ex-
pected abroad. 1t has been known for
some time that he has longed for relief
from the cares os office and his wish has
been sharpened somewhat, according to
rumors from London, by a slight friction
which has arisen between him and King
Edward. This difference was not regarded
a. serious enough to cause a breach, and
did not relate to broad questions of state.
but rather to little matters affecting the
kings personal prerogatives.
The chief interest in the retirement of the
veteran premier. who has been virtual ruler
of Great Britain for an aggregated period
of thirteen years, centers in the selection
of his nephew, Mr.. Arthur Balfour, as the
head of the ministry. Mr.. Balfour has
acted with skill since the present ministry
was installed as the leader for the govern
ment III the house of commons. He is a
conciliator, diplomatic and easy in his
management of men. But he Is not a
worker. Indeed the immediate comment
of London upon his selection was that the
new premier would be hardly up to the
mark In enterprise and industry. 1t is we'll
known that Mr.. Balfour would Infinitely
prefer a game of golf to a day session of
the house
The passing by of Mr. Chamberlain gives
rise to questions affecting the stability of
the new ministry 1t is to be remembered
that Chamberlain is not tory but a lib
eral-conservatiye. 1t was the fusion of his
party with the tory party of Lord Salisbury
that gave the ''unionists.' as the present
ruling majority are called, their firm hold
of power. Chamberlain has been identified
with everything which the Salisbury gov
eminent has done toward the enlargement
and solidfying of the empire during the
past few years. 1t was his policy which
precipitated the Boer war his policy which
maintained it in the face of defeat and his
policy which eventually brought peace. He
has become popular with the man in the
street" He is distinctly the strong man OF
the government, giutton for work and an
Uncompromising advocate of expansion and
commercial aggression. While BalfOur may
continue the policies and temperament of
Salisbury government, he will require the
most devoted ssistance of Chamberlain to
carry him through the sessions of paria-
ment to come
When Mr.. Gladstone relinguished Office in
1894 and Lord Rosebery was named as his
try the change was in some respects similar
to that which has just occurred. A veteran
was succeeded by a younger man. scholar,
a trained statesman, and yet not a vigorous
or aggressive man. There Is much like
ness between Balfour and Rosebery. The
latters ministry collapsed the year after
its lead was taken by him. The problems
now confronting the government at Lon
don are more serious than those which
faced Rosebery then. Growing out of the
war in South Africa will assuredly come
grave questions, both domestic and colo
NAL. and, although as long as the present
union comprising the government party re-
mains intact, with Chamberlain as the un-
wavering ally Of the premier, the ministry
will possess material strength, there are eie-
ments of weakness in the coalition now that
the great prestige Of Salisbury has been
withdrawn.