The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-07-14
LORD SALISBURY HEHIRES
RESIGNATION RENDERED TO
 KING AND ACCEPTED.
Right Hon. 4. J. BaIfour, First Lord of the Treasury and Government Leader in the House of Commons Accepts the sonneI of the New CabInet-Chambsr- lain and Balfour in Agreement.

iatn anu Balf0ur in Agreement
 London, July 1s.-The Marquis of Salisbury has resigned the premiership of Great Britain, and Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, the first lord of the treas ury and government leader in the house of commons, has been appointed to succeed him.
 The Marquis of Salisbury rendered his resignation at an audience which he had with King Edward last Friday.
 Yesterday MT Balfour visited the king and accepted the premiership.
 While it was expected in official and political circles that Lord Salsbury's retirement would be coincident with the coronation of King Edward it was scarcely 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 resignation. The real interest was not so much in reference to Lord Salisbury's withdrawal as it was in the appointment of his success sor
 The liveliest speculation is rife as to the personnel of the new cabinet. The most discussed feature of the pending change is the position of MT. Cham berlain, the colonial secretary, who, in many quarters has been regarded as the boot promising candidate for the premiership.
 A representative of The Associated Press learns that prior to the accept ance of his new office MT. Balfour first had an interview with MT. Chamber lain and then consulted with his other cabinet associates. This is regarded as an assurance that the future positions of Messrs. Balfour and Chamberlain will be satisfactory to both. MT. Cham berlain's friends say he always recog- nized the reversion of the premiership to be MT. Balfour's right as government leader in the house of commons.
 As to Lord Salisbury's withdrawal, the main reason is considered by prac- tically all the best informed persons to have been simply desire for g. quiet life on the part of man advanced in years, whose activities have been un- usual, and whose scientific tastes pre- disposes him to study and seclusion. That the retiring premier's health has failed to some extent is undeniable; but this is not more than. perhaps, is to be expected in man of his years and the close of the war in South Africa and the return of the commanding general there is considered to be an approprl- ate time for his withdrawal.
 Though alert mentally the retiring premier's physical condition, especially since the death of his wife, has not been satisfactory. That loss seemed to af- feet him greatly and since that event he has done little entertaining. In social aspect, MT. Balfour's accession is not expected to make much difference, neither Mr. Balfour nor his sister, who acts as his hostess, being very fond of society.
 Although Lord Salisburys resignation does not necessarily involve the recon struction of the cabinet it is believed the occasion will be taken to make some changes. It is not considered unlikely that some of the ministers will be made peers in order to make room for new blood in the cabinet. It has been the idea that MT. Balfour would be elevated to the peerage, leaving MT. Chamberlain to lead the house of com- mons, the motion being that this ar rangement would be the best to con- ciliate the divergent interests of the cabinet; but it is understood that, at any rate for the present, MT. Balfour will continue to lead the commons.
 The Associated Press learns that Lord Salisbury in resigning, expresses the desire that no new title or honors should be conferred upon him.
 The retirement of this last great statesman of the Victorian age is uni versally regarded as the transition from one generation to another and as mark ing the close of an era in the national life.