New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-28
DOWNING STREET CHANGES
LORD SALISBURY'S RETIREMENT-MR.
CHAAIBERLAIN'S DEVOTION TO
PRINCIPLES-THEB BACHELOR
PRIME MINISTER.

pected for so long period that the comments
upon it in Parliament and by the press seem
stale and commonplace Lord Rosebery. who is
a master of feIicitous phrasing, has alone been
equal 70 the emergency. His speech in the
House of Lords short. but as profound in
reflection and finished in form as Lord Sails
bury's eulogfsm of Mr. Gladstone. Mr..
C;ladstone's tribute to Lord Beaconsfield. When
he referred to Lord Salisbury the dominant
figure IN the House of Lords for twenty years.
and since Mr.. Gladstones resignation the pre-
eminent figure I'm the life Of the country he
justified his conclusion that whoever might be
the Prime Minister'S successor, Parliament has
lost more than half of its interest. Another
stately period described the retiring statesman
as privileged to be the adviser of the later
years of our Victoria, as his great ancestor
had been the adviser of Elizabeth: and the
phrasng was exquisite when he spoke of the
rich elouuence delivered in those organ tones.
the epigrammatic and literary form of his dis
course and the authority with which he spoke,
not merely to Great Britain but TO the world"
Lord Salisbury's voice. it was ordinarily
heard in conversational undertones in the House
OF Lords was neither musical nor impressive;
but il was rich and full organ when he
had Primrose address TO make in Albert Hall,
or was speaking to all Europe in the Guildhall.
Lord Salisbury the platform has always i'm
pressed me as great man thinking aloud out
of sheer fitness of mind. Dignity of diction
was never lacking. yet the phrasing was left to
the inspiration of the moment. He had mas
tered the art of thinking deeply and soberly
about affairs of State, and he spoke ''as one hav
ing authority in the politics of the world
Lord Rosebery had the courage in his speech
IN expose himself to the risk of being consid-
cred rhetorical He introduced fine smile in
closing his tribute TO Lord Salisbury. It is
Of
literally reproduced in The Associated Press
dispatches. Sometimes said Lord Rosebery.
"a great forest tree has been cut down, which
allows the younger shoots to rise to the sun
and receive new vigor and development from
the absence OF the overshadowing tree; and L
hope It may be so here, and that though we
cannot hope to Lord Salisbury constantly
in his place a generation may arise not I'M
worthy of his character. of his eloquence and
Of his ability, to fill in some degree the place he
has left vacant" That was a pretty figure, in
which eulogy of the massive giant was tenn
pered with hope in the vital energies and powers
Of growth of the younger wood which had been
overshadowed: but it is open question
whether either Lord Salisbury Mr.. Gladstone
obstructed the development Of political careers
by their own paramount prestige and authority.
There was broad clearing in the Liberal wood
when Mr.. Gladstone retired from public life,
but the younger men surrounding him lost more
from the withdrawal OF his stimulative sup
mort than they gained from fresh light and air.
The best illustration of the appositeness of
Lord Roseberys smile is the rise and develop
nent of the German Emperors influence after
the enforced retirement of Prince Bismarck,
whose genius overshadowed the throne itself.
Lord Salisbury has not been equally predom-
inant figure in English politics. Mr.. Balfour
has been aided. not hampered. by Lord Sails
bury's friendship and authority: Lord Lans-
downe has become through sheer force Of char
acter and ability most accomplished Secre-
tary Of Foreign Affairs. and Mr.. Chamberlain
has acquired throughout the empire the reputa-
ton of being the most jealous and powerful
Minister for the Colonies. Lord Salisbury has
been helpful to these and other leaders of the
coalition party, which is now responsible for
the ordering of public affairs. His retirement
to private life hardly implies the withdrawal of
an overshadowing presence. No reputation was
kept back because he fingered on the political
stage.
The veteran naturally rejected the pleadings
Of colleagues that they too old for their
work. His retirement is followed by the an
nouncement that the Chancellor Of the Ex-
chequer has petitioned for release from official
responsibility: and Mr.. Balfour will be compelled
in the course of a few weeks to reorganize the
Cabinet The resignation Of Sir Michael Hicks
Beach brings to an end the prolonged series or
compromises by which the efficiency and unity
Of the Salisbury government have been impaired
Even if other veteran Tory functionaries neglect
10 follow his example and to make way for
younger men, the Cabinet will become more
homogeneous and a stronger and more capable
headquarters staff, when the resistance and
counterplay of the two strongest wills in it have
ceased. Mr.. Chamberlain and Sir Michael
Hicks~Beach were antagonstic on nearly all
public questions. Neither intrigued against the
other. but they were out Of touch and could not
understand each other. The Chancellor of the
Exchequer was a thorn in Mr.. Chamberlain's
side throughout the South African negotiations
and the military campaign; and he has been
cold and unsympathetic whenever there has
been an opportunity for imparting fresh i'm
pulse to the movement for imperial federation.
Mr. Cham berlain on the other hand, has been
frankly critical and contemptuous in his judg-
rnents respecting the financial management Of
the war and the Chancellor's lack OF fexibility
in fiscal policy. One will was as strong the
other and each hampered and harassed the
other. Mr. Balfour, who has helped to keep the
peace between the ideal Tory squire and the
imperialist statesman, is now at liberty TO dis
pense with the services Of the Chancellor Of the
Excheouer Mr. Chamberlain's influence will be
greatly increased in the Cabinet by the with
drawaI Of the only colleague capable Of offering
strenuous resistance to his policies.
Mr.. Chamberlain has been constantly re-
preached for being political intriguer and for
ceyeting the Premiership. He now has an OPP
portunity for demonstrating that he cares more
for principles and policies than for private am
bitions Those who know him best con-
WINGED that he is satisfied with the political
situation and that he is well pleased to remain
p RoR% mt IN he onf&