Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-16
VIEW OF BALFouR.
Irish Member of Parliament Discusses
the Chance of Premiers.

London, July 15-Thomas Power
O'Connor. NJ. p, in an interview had
With him by a representative of the
Associated Press last night. summed up
the situation in connection With the
resignation of Lord Salisbury and the
appointment of MIR. l5alfour as follows:
The resignation of Lord Salisbury
WAS expected in connection with the
coronation of King Edward but when
the coronation did not taNe place there
grew up an idea that perhaps the
lremier's resignation WAS Indefinitely
postponed. old men cling to power. and
it WAS supposed that Lord Salisbury
was not free from the weakness of so
iGany others This prospect did not
quite satisfy his colleagues. Lord Sails
hurys health has been VIGOROUSLY in
different, especially since the death OF
his wife; his extreme obesity is. OF
course, inconsistent with activity,
either of mind or body, and there We're
whispers that he sometimes WAS over
come by sleep in the midst of lnomen-
tous cabinet councils and that he only
Joseph Chamberlain Colonial secre-
chancellor of the eNcheauer). the two
chief opponents in the cabinet, reached
an unusually high pitch.
"Once or twice lately. in the house of
lords, he has shown Il certain want of
grip that was almost painful. For in
stance, he calmly asked the house of
lords whether they desired to hear the
words of Lord kitcheners Dispatch as
tho the communication was really of
little or no 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 Il
view to preventing the accession of Mr..
Chamberlain. No man could be more
averse than is Lord Salisbury to SUI
preme power being in the hands of so
iinpulsive, restless and arrogant a poll
tican as the colonial secretary. Tho
they had been made political bed fell
lows by necessity, Lord Salisbury and
Mr.. Chamberlain remained apart and
We're secretly hostile to each other.
In addition the accession of MIR.
Chamberlain might involve the imme-
date dismissal of Lord Cranborne, I'M
der secretary for the foreign office, and
the earl of Selborne, first lord of the
admiralty, one the son and the other
the son-in-law of Lord Salisbury, and
it must also have meant such a palng
of the star of Mr.. Balfour as to practi-
cally destroy his prestige.
1T is doubtful. in any case. whether
the rank and file of the tory party
would have accepted Mr.. Chamberlain
willingly. They use him, but they do
not like him. There is a certain section
of young tories who do not love Bal
four, thinking him slack, deceitful and
iethargic, but he is still the lion of the
straight conservatives, and his appoint-
ment would be even 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,
spect. If he be INDECENT. he is also
courteous. tolerant and broad-minded.
and he will not insult other nations as
MIR. Chamberlain has done His tongue
is we'll under restraint and he has all
the instincts of n gentleman.
II regard the change rs beneficial to
Ireland. in the long run. Mr.. Balfour
las had much experience of Ireland.
and tho he is not yet home ruler. all
his animosity has disappeared. and he
is just the man to propose a solution of
the long standing difficulty But MIR.
Balfour does not come into office at Il
Very happy moment. The education
bill which he is plotting thru the house
oil commons, arouses tremendous relig-
ious passion on both sides, and it is
doubtful if he will be able to carry it
thru without such concessions to his
political opponents as will eXasperate
some of his own political friends. The
aftermath of the war also has come.
and the majority of the government tho
large, is wanting in cohesion. But it is
useless specializing further; the uneX-
pected is always the dominant factor in
English politics."
AD0IIkn NPc