Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-14

informed persons to have been simply a
desire for a quiet life on the part Of a
man advanced in years, whose activities
have been unusual and whose scientific
tastes predlspose him to study and seclu-
sion. 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 a man OF his years. and the
close Of the war in South Africa, and the
return Of the commanding general there, Is
said to be an appropriate time for his
withdrawal.
One or twice lately in the House Of
Lords be has shown a lack Of grip that was
almost painful. For instance. when the
terms Of peace In South Africa had to be
announced, he calmly asked the House Of
Lords whether II desired to hear the words
Of Lord Kitchener's dispatch. as though
the communication was really Of little or
no Importance.
o'Connor's Opinion.
Thomas Power o'Connor, NJ. p, in an
interview had with him by a representative
Of the Associated Press, tonight summed
up the situation in connection with the
resignation Of Lord Salisbury and the APP
polntment Of Mr.. Balfour as follows:
The resignation Of Lord Salisbury was
expected in connection with the corona
tion Of King Edward, but when the cor
onation did not take place, there grew up
an idea that perhaps the premier's resig-
nation was indefinitely postponed. Old
men cling to power, and II was supposed
that Lord Salisbury was not free from the
weakness Of so many others. This pros
pect did not satisfy his colleagues. Lord
salisbury's 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 were whispers that he
sometimes was overcome by sleep In the
midst Of momentous cabinet councils, and
that he only awoke when the discordant
voices of Joseph Chamberlain (the colonial
secretary and Sir Michael Hicks Beach
chancellor Of the exchequer), the two chief
opponents in the cabinet, reached an unu-
sually high pitch.
"Probably his resignation now has been
Influenced by the desire to have the sue
ccssion in the Cecil family, and still more
with a view to preventing the accession
OF Mr.. Chamberlain. No man could De
more adverse than is Lord Salisbury to
supreme power being in the hands OF so
impulsive, restless and arrogant a poliu-
clan as the colonial secretary. Though they
had been made political bedfellows by ne
cessity, Lord Salisbury and Mr.. Chamber
lain remained apart and were secretly hos
tile to each other. In addition the ac-
cession Of Mr.. Chamberlain might involve
the immediate dismissal OF Lord Cranborn,
(under secretary for the foreign office) and
the earl Of Selborne (1rst lord Of the ad-
miralty) one the son and other the son-in-
law Of Lord Salisbury, and II must also
have meant such a paling Of the star of
Mr.. Balfour as to practically destroy his
prestige.
Might Not Accept Chamberlain.
at 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 Balfour, thinking him slack,
decadent and lethargic, but he is still the
darling OF the straight conservatives, and
his appointment would be even more pop
ular with his political opponents than with
his political friends. Despite his many
faults, Mr.. Balfour remains the most pop
ular figure In the House Of Commons and
his very faults help him in this respect.
II he be indolent, he is also courteous, toll
Grant and broad minded and he will not
AhoAAN ONaN ~ N1AH
kas done. His tongue is we'll under re-
straint and he has all the instincts of a
gentleman.
"a regard the change as beneficial to
Ireland In the long run. Mr.. Balfour has
had much experience with Ireland, and
though he is not yet a home ruler. all
his old animosity has disappeared and he
is just the man to propose a solution Of
the long outstanding dificulty. But Mr..
Balfour does not come into ONCE at a very
happy moment. The education bill, which
he lie plotting through the House Of Com
mons, arouses tremendous religious passion
on both sides and 1t is doubtful II he will
be able to carry II through without such
concessions to his political opponents as
will exasperate some Of his own political
friends. The aftermath Of the war also
has como and the majority of the govern
ment, though large, is wanting in cohe-
sion. But it is useless specializing further,
the unexpected is always the dominant
factor In English politics"
ROME. July 13.-Lord Salisbury,s resig-
nation Of the British premiership has pro-
duced here a feeling Of regret, tempered
with the hope that the relations between
Great Britain and Italy. which grew cooler
under the retiring premier, Will. under
Mr.. Baifour. resume their ancient cor
diality.
WASHINGTON, July 1S.-The appoint
ment Of Mr.. Balfour to the English pre-
miership Will not result in any change in
the existing relations between Great Brit
ain and the United States. This is the
opinion Of State department officials who
express the opinion that Mr.. Balfour will
be as much disposed as was his predeees-
sor, Lord Salisbury, to continue the friend
Iy relations between the two countries.