The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1902-07-16
GREETED new PREMIER
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Has Resigned.


No Serious Anticipation Of a Gen.
eraI Election - MIR. Balfour Still
Leader In the Commons.
London, July ia. j. Balfour was
yesterday formally greeted as Great
Britain's premier and the new regime
began its work. The momentous
change was marked by only one really
dramatic incident namely, the resig-
nation of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
from his post of chancellor of the ex.
chequer.
Yet this lack Of outward show and
public prelude to a new chapter in
English history is by no means rep
resenative of the disturbance which
the sudden transition created among
the undercurrents of political life. 1t
is safe to say that Sir Michael Hicks
Beach is only the first of several
whose names have figured largely be-
fore the public in the last half con-
tury who now will disappear from the
political arena.
Nothing absolutely definite is yet
settled but the Unionist party ex-
poets shortly to hear of the resigna-
tions of Earl Halsbury, lord high
chancellor; Lord James of Hereford,
chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster,
and Earl Cadogan, lord lieutenant of
Ireland.
For Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's place
Right Hon. r. W. Hanbury, now presi-
dent of the board of agriculture, is the
favorite. In the pending reconstruc-
ton, which may not be completed for
some time to come, Mr.. Balfour, much
to the delight of the Unionists, will re-
main the leader in the house of COM
mons and first lord of the treasury,
with Mr. Chamberlain still in command
of the colonies as his first lieutenant.
If Earl Halsbury on account of his
great age fulfls predictions by retir-
ing Baron Alverstone will succeed to
the woolsack, Sir Richard Hem Col
Inns becoming lord chief justice, Sir
L. Fl. Finlay succeeding him as master
of the rolls Sir L. II. Carson, now So
licitor general, becoming attorney gen.
eral and probably Charles Alfred
Cripps, attorney general to the prince
of Wales, succeeding to the solicitor
generalship.
On one point the members Of the
house of commons, who throughout the
day animatedly discussed the new
state of affairs, seemed practically
unanimous and that was that Austen
Chamberlain, financial secretary to the
treasury, would be promoted, a ma
iority mentioning him as likely to sue
ceed Mr.. Hanbury should the latter
take the chancellorship of the eX-
chequer.
Friends of Mr., Balfour also said he
was certain to require the advice in
his cabinet councils of his great friend,
George Wyndham, now chief secre-
tary for Ireland
There is no little gossip concerning
some changes in the position of Lord
George Hamilton, now secretary of
state for India. one wellknown member
of the house of commons saying he had |
heard that Lord George Hamilton was |
among those who would throw up their |
portfolios.
Lord Hamilton's brother-in-law, the
Marquis of Lansdowne is regarded as
certain to remain in the foreign Of
flee, where he is carrying out lines |
laid down by Lord Salisbury
There is apparently no serious an
ticipation OF general election, though |
in some quarters it is thought the de-
sire attributed to the king to have |
new parliament after his coronation
might cause an appeal to the country,
though the new premier is not be-
lieved to see any necessity therefor.
Mr. Ballour's first appearance in the
house of commons as premier was
characteristic of the man and of the
assembly From the party meeting
at the foreign office the members
trooped over en- bloc and shortly after
2 o'clock the house was packed Both
front benches were filled with minis
ters and ex-ministers except for a
vacant place opposite the mace,
whore Mr. Balfour was such a familiar
figure. Peers came into the strangers
gallery and leaned expectantly upon
me rails. Amid a nervous, ceaseless
chatter of questions which were ratt-
led through, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
sat gloomily among the colleagues he
was so soon to leave
Suddenly the chatter ceased and
there stole from behind the speakers
chair the long thin figure of the
prime minister From all sides Of the
house there rose a chorus Of Hear,
Hear" The members rose and kept
up the applause till Mr. Balfour, who
sidled along the treasury bench, near
ly falling over Sir Michael Hicks
Beach's feet, reached his seat and
buried his head in voluminous
question paper. He was blushing like
n school girl. Sir Henry Campbell
the Liberal leader, stopped
further business by making such feel
ing personal reference 10 Mr. Balfour
as is seldom heard in legislative bod
les. and which was delivered with an
emotion that quite unnerved the pre-
mier. When Mr.. Balfour rose to reply
the ovation was renewed but his voice
faltered and he was only Just able
hesitatingly to declare that he was
too overcome to find words of thanks.
After Mr.. Balfour's tribute to Lord
which was universally
for its tactful reserve,
the house was emptied, the members
gathering on the terrace and in the