The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-18
SALISBURY STEPS OUT AND
BALFOUR SUCCEEDS HIM
OF BENEFIT To IRELAND
Mr.. O'Connor sums Up the situation.
Did Not Want Chamberlain to Be-
come Premier-Health Failing and
Has Lost Grip of Public Matters
House of COmmOns-Has Had Ex-
p~erience in Ireland. But il Not a
Home Ruler.

London. July 13.-The Marquis OF
Salisbury has resigned the premiership
of Great Britain and Right Hon. A. J.
Baifour the First Lord of the Treasury
and government leader in the house of
commons. has been appointed to sue
coed him
The Marquis of Salisbury rendered
his resignation at an audience which
he had with King Edward last Friday.
Yesterday Mr.. Balfour visited the king
and accepted the premiership.
Thomas Power O'Connor. NJ. P, in
an interview by a representative of the
Associated Press tonight. summed up
the situation in connection with the
resignation of Lord Salisbury and the
appointment of Mr.. Balfour as follows:
THE resignation of Lord Salisbury
was expected in connection with the
coronation of King Edward, but when
the coronation did not take place there
grew up an idea that perhaps the
premier's resignation was indefinitely
poSlpoASu. Olu HleH CllnS TO power,
and it was supposed that Lord Sails
bury was not free from the weakness
OF so many others. This prospect did
not quite satisfy his colleagues. Lord
~al1Sbury health has been VIGOROUSLY
indifferent, especially since the death of
his wife: his extreme obesity is, of
course, inconsistent with activity, eth
er of mind or body, and there were
whispers that he, sometimes, was over
come by sleep in the midst of moment
Gus cabinet questions and that he only
aWoke when the discordant voices of
Joseph Chamberlain (the Colonial Sec
retary), and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
chancellor of the Exchequer), the two
chief opponents in the cabinet, reached
an unusually high pitch.
Once or twice, too, lately, in the
house of lords, he has shown a certain
wan of grip that was almost painful.
For instance, when the terms of peace
in South Africa mad to be announced,
he calmly asked the house of lords
whether they desired to hear the words
of Lord Kitchener'se dispatch, as
though the communication was really
of little Importance.
Probably his resignation now has
been Influenced partly by the desire to
make sure of the succession being in
the Cecil family, and still more with a
'N> lin vi W.
Chamberlain. No man could be more
adverse than is Lord Salisbury to SUI
preme power being in the hands of so
impulsive, restless and arrogant a poll
tician Is the colonial secretary.
Though they had been made political
bedfelloWs by necessity, Lord Salisbury
and Mr.. Chamberlain remained apart
and were secretly hostile to each other.
in addition, the accession of Mr.. Cham
berlain might involve the immediate
disposal Of Lord Cranborne (under sec
rotary for the foreign office), and the
Earl of Seborne, first lord of the ad-
miralty), the n the son and the other
the son-in-law of Lord Salisbury.
1T is doubtful in case, whether the
rank and file of the tory party would
have accepted Mr.. Chamberlain will
ingly. They do not like him. There is a
certain section of young tories who do
not live Mr.. Balfour, thinking him
slack and decadent, but he is still the
darling Of the straight conservatives,
ard his opponents would be eve more
popular with his political opponents
than with his political friends. Despite
his many faults, Mr.. Balfour remains
the most popular figure in the house OF
commons and his very faults help him
in this respect. If he be indolent, he is
also courteous, tolerant and broad
minded, n he will not insult other
nations as Mr.. Chamberlain has m
His tongue is we'll under restraint and
he has all the instincts of a gentle
man.
81 regard the change as beneficial tC
Ireland. in the long run. Mr.. BalfouI
has had much experience in Ireland
and, though he is not a home ruler, al
his old animosity has disappeared and
he is just the man to propose a Solu.
ton of the long outstanding difficulty
But Mr.. Balfour does lot come into Of
flee at a very happy moment. The edu'
cation bill, which he is plotting through
the house of commons, arouSeS tire
mendous religious passions on botf
sides, and it is doubtful if he will be
able to carry it through without sucf
concessions to his political opponent:
as will eXasperate some OF his own po'
litical friends The alienation of thu
war has also come and the majority o.
the government, though large, is want.
ing in cohesion. But it is useless spec
ulating further: the unexpected is al
ways the dominant factor in English
politics"