The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-14
LORD SALISBURY. THE RETIRING PREMIER.

Tendon. July 13.--The fact Of the resig-
nation of the premiership of Great Britain
by Lord Salisbury as foreshadowed in the
dispatches Of the Associated Press was
officially given ont this afternoon. The
prime minister laid down the responsible
ity Of his Office July II, Within twenty
iour hours his majesty elevated Mr.. A. j.
Bafour, the governments chief represen-
tatlye In the house of coIumons 10 the po-
sitlon Of premier
While 1t was expected in official and po-
iitica circles that Lord Saisbury's retire
ment would he coincidcnt with the cor
onAtlon OF King Edward. 1t was scarcely
looked for prior TO that event. Conse-
quently about the only surprise expressed
as the news spread through London con
cerned the date, rather than the fact of
the resignation The real interest was not
so much In reference to Lord Salisbury
Withdrawal as II was in the appointment
Of his successor
The liyellest speculation is rife as to the
personnel of the new cabinet The most
discussed feature OF the pending change
is the position Mr.. Chamberlain, the coloui.
nj SECRETARY, who In many quarters has
been regarded as the most promising candi.
date for the premiership.
A representative Of the Associated Press
learns that prior to the acceptance OF his
new office Mr. Balfour FIRST had an inter
view With MIR. Chamberlain aud then con.
suited with his other cabinet associates.
This Is regarded as assurance that the fu.
ture relative positions OF Messrs. Bdlfour
and Chamberlain will be satisfactory to
both Mr.. Chamberlalns friends say he
always recognized the reyerson of the
premiership to be Mr.. Balfour's right as
government leader In the house of COM
mons.
As TO Lord Salishury's withdrawal the
main reason Is considered by practically
all the best Informed persons 10 have been
simply desire for quiet life on the
par5 of man advanced in years, whose
activities baNe teen unusual aud whose
scientific tastes predIspose hlu to study and
secuson- That the retiring premier's health
has failed 20 some extent is undeniable; but
this is not more than perhaps is to he
aIpeoted Ia man OF his years, and the
close OF the war In South Africa aud the
return Of the commanding general therA
is considered 70 pc an appropriate time
! for his withdrawal.
o'CoNNoR CRITICIsES SALISBURY,
London, July 10. 1homHs Power o'Cor-
nor. NJ F.. in m interview had With bin
py representative Of The Associated Press
tonight summed up the situation in con
neotlqn WITH tho resignation Of Lord Sails.
bury and the appointment Of Mfr. Bafour,
rs follows:
1.-The resignation n Lord Salisbury was
expected In connection with the coronation
Of klug Edward, but When the coronation
did not take place there grew up an idea
| that perhaps the rremier's resignation was
| indefinitely postponed Old mon cling ia
/ power and II was supposed that Lord Sails
| bury was not free from the weakness of
so many others. This prospect did hot
quite satisfy his colleagues Lord Sails
burys health has been notoFlously ipdiffer-
ent, especially since the death of his wife;
his extreme obesity Is Of course, incon-
slstent with activity, either 10 mind or
fody, and there were whisperlngs that he
sometimes was overcome 10y sleep in the
midst of momentous cabinet councils and
that he only awoke when the diseordant
voices OF Joseph Chamberlain and Sir Mich
ael Hicks Beach, the two chief opponents
In the cabinet, reached an unusually nigh
pitch.
"once or twice too, lately, In the house
Of lords, he has shown a certain want Of
grip that was almost painful. For In
stance, when the terms of peace In South
Africa had 10 be announced, he calmly
asked the house Of lords whether they de-
sired to hear the words OF Lord Kitchener's
dispatches. us though the communication
was really OF little or no Importance.
Probably his resignation now has bosn
Influenced partly by the desire to make
sure OF the succession being In the Cecil
family and sin more With a view of pre-
venting the accession Of Mr., Chamberlain,
No man could be more adverse than Is Lord
Salisbury to supreme power being In the
bands Of so inipusive, restless aud arrogant
politician as the colonial secretary.
Though they had been made political bed
fellows by necessity. Lord salisbury aud
Mr. Chamberlain remained apart and were