New-York tribune., 1902-07-14
FOUR TIMES PREMIER,
BRITISH GREATNESS DUE IN GREAT
MEASURE To LORD SALISBURY. i

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Copyright; 1902: By The Tribune Association, n
Especial to The New-YoFk Tribune by French Cabley
London. July IA. a. m.-Lord Salisbury hasi
resigned the Premiership of Great Britain. and
Arthur ]. BaIfour is the Prime Ministers.
Within the last few years rumOr has persists
emily credited the venerable Marquis with the
intention of giving up the cares OF Office. and
since the accession of King Edward il has been
an open secret that he was only awaiting al
favorable opportunity for retiring into privater
life.
Under Lord Salisbury's leadership the British5
Empire has grown enormously in area, and hasi
been consolidated and strengthened, and thss
proud position which Cirea. Britain occupies to-f
day among the nations of the earth is in greatl
measure attributable to the retiring Premiers
skilful handling of the helm of state Like Mrs
Gladstone Lord Salisbury has been Prime Min
lister four times, but the duration of his fourd
administrations was nearly fifteen years. where's
as his great rival held the Premiership only a
little more than twelve years
Lord Salisbury first became Premier m Junesi
1885 Mr.. Gladstone having resigned the oficei
in consequence of his defeat in the Conmonsi
on the proposal to increase the duties on beera
and spirits The Conservative ministry remained
in office until the following February. when Mr.,
Gladstone entered upon his third administration-
After an existence of only us days. the Liberal
party was badly beaten on the second readinst
of the Irish Home Rule bill in the largest dt-I
vision on record 656 members out of go pass !,
ing through the division lobbies. Then carns1
Lord Salisbury's second term of office, which
lasted from August 1885, until August. 1892
when the House Of Commons gave Mr.. Giad-t
stone a majority of forty the Home Rulel
question. Lord Salisbury resigned and Mr.
Gladstone became Premier for the fourth and
last time.
The second Home Rule bill was thrown out by
the House Of Lords in September. 1894. and in
March Of the following year Mr. Gladstone re-
signed his office in favor of Earl Rosebery. The
Liberal Cabinet was reconstructed and re-
manned in power Tor three months longer. when
it was killed by the famous Cordite division
Lord Salisbury became Premier for the third
time. with solid majority of 152 in the Com
mons. There a general election in Septem-
ber 1900, and the Unionists were again voted
TO power. with a majority of 134 in the Com
mons. and Lord Salisbury for the fourth time
took up the Premiership. but he left the Foreign
Secretaryship 10 Lord LansdOwne. and became
Lord of the Privy Seal
At the time of the death of Queen Victoria
he wished to resign. and only remained In office
at the urgent request Of King Edward He has
gradually lost touch with the affairs OF thu
nation and the official announcement that the /
King has at last accepted his resignation does
not cause any surprise. #
1t is significant that Mr.. Balfour had an In
terview with MIR. Chamberlain before consult
ing the other members of the Cabinet in regards
the situation Mr.. BaIfour becomes Prime
Minister. and further Cabinet changes are prob
able. The prevailing impression in political 4
clubs last night that Mr. BalfOur would be
made peer and that Mr.. Chamberlain would
succeed him the leader in the House OF Conn.,
mons If Mr.. BalfOur remained a simple COM
he 10 eVfa be,o u
shadowed in the representative chamber by the.
Colonial Secretary. who is more than everS
the strong man of the UniOnist party.
Many people think that Mr. Chamberiai14
must eventually reach the Premiership and 1T
would have given great satisfaction throughouci
the country if the King had chosen him to-
step into Lord Salisbury's shoes His chancesI
of obtaining Premier hOnors are now consid-l
erabIy minimized he is many years Mr. Ball
fOur's senior. He will. however. be as loyal
to his new chief as he to his old one.
meeting of the Conservative party VIII bsi
held to-day. and there cannot be any doubt that
although Lord Salisbury's resignation will bel
received with regret. Mr.. Balfour's accessiursl
will be hailed with enthusiasm.
The King has asked Lord Salisbury to accsnkj
some signal honor in return for his great SER
vices the State. and it is possible that he Wilt
be raised to the dignity of a dukedom. Queen
Victoria at least two occasions proposed tor
make him duke, but his name has not ap-i
peared in any honor list for great many years.
The retiring statesman has for weeks past BEEN
in failing health. and IL is believed that hiss
physicians urged upon him the necessity OF
Withdrawing at from the turmoil OF politi--
cal life, otherwise he would probably have de-
layed his resignation until after the cOronatioH
ceremony next month.
1t is assumed that, in accordance with customs
the members of the Cabinet will formally pIacst
their designations in the hands Of Mr.. Balfour, so-
that he may be free to make any change IL ha'
should think it desirable advisable
Sir Wilfrid Laurer courteOusIy declined to
talk with reference to Lord Salisbury's resigna-
tion Sir Gordon Sprigg left London Satur-i
day Sir Edmund Barton is spending the week
out of London and Mr.. Seldom was the only
Colonial Premier who would express his views
in any detail The New-Zealand statesman
said he knew that with Mr.. Chamberlain at
the Colonial Office there would be no change
In the policy of the government with regard to
the colonies which had been for the good OF
the empire
Unionist papers this morning speak highly OF
MIR. ChamberIains patriotism in yielding to the
surerior claims of Mr.. Balfour. THE Standard
saws a Minister of Mr. Chamberlain's genius
who has attained so commanding position. not