Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-14
H|CKS-BEACH RESIGNS
Announcement Made to Par
lament Today.
MAY BE OTHER CHANGES
POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO
CONTINUE.
MI. Balfour Outlines the Course Ee
and the Unionists Will
Pursue.
MAY BE OTHER CHANGES

LONDON, July 1I-sir Michael Hicks
Beach has resigned as chancellor II The
eXcheQuer.
Perhaps never has a change Of premier
ship been effected with so little di-.ocati'n
to business, either public or private. a. ac-
companied the transfer Of the seals of
office from Lord Salisbury to A. J. Balfour.
The occurrence had no effect whatever on
the stock exchange. The only other change
in the cabinet thus far announced is the
chancellor Of the eXchequer, though others
are foreshadowed. Mr. Balfour. in address
ing the first meeting of his followers 1t
the foreign office this afternoon, Informed
them that he could not count on the con-
tinued assistance of Sir Michael Hicks
Beach. but he could count on the latters
good wishes.
The public showed little interest in the
party meeting which was summoned FOR
noon. The new premier, when he entered
the conference room of the foreign Office
accompanied by the Duke Of DtVonshire,
Sir Michael Hicks Beach. Lord London
derry and others, received quite an ovation.
When Mr.. Balfour rose to address the
meeting all again stood up and cheered the
new chief. Mr.. Balfour referred to the loss
of the services of the chief who for nearly
fifty years had been engaged in active po-
litical life. No one, he said. would grudge
him his wel-earned repose. though his loss
was irreparable.
MI. Balfour's Remarks.
81 do not flatter myself" proceeded the
premier, that the gap he has left can be
filled. But the place he has left must be
occupied, and it is because the king has de-
sired me 20 do my best to take that posi-
tion that l have asked you to meet me to-
day. ! have accepted great task and a
l,,.px- 10 falN -
overweening belief in my own capacity. bat
because L am sure. or at least have every
reason to believe that in attempting TO
carry on this work / will have the most inn
portant qualification a leader can have,
namely. regard for and confidence I'm those
with whom he works.
Il have not had the opportunity before of
consulting you. but l have, of course, con-
suited those with whom l have been work
ing in the cabinet these many years, and If
the kindness you are prepared to extend 10
me is at all equal to the kindness they
have extended TO me, then indeed the ter
rors, or difficulties, l ought perhaps TO say,
of the task before me are greatly mitigated.
cannot now promise myself that L shall
have the continued assistance of all my
colleagues. One of the most important Of
them, with whom I have been associated
all my political life. and who has occupied
and deserves to occupy the highest post in
the house of commons and state, has told
me that / cannot count on his further as
sistance. | mean the chancellor OF the eS-
chequer. But, though / grieve to say L
cannot count with any assurance on his
aurther assistance, l can count 18th abso-
confidence on his good wishes in he
Ia pors that are before us.
The Chancellor Assents.
At this iuncture Sir Michael Hicks Beach,
amIu applause, signifed his assent 10y cry
mig heartily, Hear, heart
For myself" continued Mr.. Bafour, Il
have nothing to say to all the members IT
at all events to the members of the house
OF commons who are listening TO me. l
nave secrets and no surprises. You
have known me so well and so long ihat
even were i disposed to dwell on this thing
there is nothing l could say which could
or oughJ TO alter the judgment alreadE
long asu formed. But if | have nothing Of
a personal nature to say at the present
time neither have | any pronouncement 10
make Changes there must be, consequent
on the great change which we have met
here to deplore. But this is not the oCca-
sion on which either to discuss them or
even to think of them. As for the question
of policy, / need hardly tell you that The
policy of the unionst party remains now
what ii has always been. We have lost
the services of a brilliant advocate OF our
cause. We have lost man around whom
the sentiments and emotions of the party
have for many years crSStdlllZed.
No Misgivings for the Future.
Nevertheless. / feel we would do wrong
to despair; do wrong TO have even the faint
est misgiving in regard to the future OF :he
cause he has long and so well upheld.
If we preserve the unity in the future which
has never been wanting in our ranks in
the past, the inherent vitality Of our cause
will make up for any weakness I'm the arms
which have to sIstain it
After a warm tribute to Lord Salisbury
by the Duke of Devonshre, Sir Nj chaei
Hicks Beach rose and said there was no
ha how yi.1l md
more readily accepted leader OF the
party than the man he had followed as
leader for more than seven years. But
Lord Salisbury's retirement was a break
with the traditions of his past political life
Two years ago he had begged, for personal,
and not for political reasons, TO be relieved
from office, but he had consented at Lord
SaliSbury'S instance to retain IL TO the ond
of the war. He now felt that the moment
had come when such poor services as he
could render could no longer be necessary
to the country. There were younger men
who would do the work at least well IS
he had been able to do.
He had, therefore, told Mr.. Balfour that
ii was his strong desire to take the present
of retiring from the Office he
had so long the honor of holding. He had
explained to him the circumstances which
he thought had necessitated that view on
his part Mr.. Balfour had been good
enough to express strong desire that he
should continue to act with him his cvl-
league, but had admitted that the circgm-
stances metioned required consideration.
He could only say that IL for the moment
he retained the Office, of which his tenure
could not by any possibility be long. Il
would be because he desired to show that
he entertained as fully any of them a
spirit of loyalty to their new leader. and
desire to give him, whether in or out Of
office. his best help in the administration
Of affairs
Message From Chamberlain.
]. Austen Chamberlain, financial secretary !
TO the treasury, said his father wished him
to say how greatly disappointed he was at
the fact that he could not be present to well
come Mr.. Balfour to the leadership and say
With what pride and pleasure he would give
al the assistance in his power.
Turning toward Mr.. Balfour. the speaker
continued: