New-York tribune., 1902-07-15
HICKS-BEACH RESIGNS.
FIRST BREAK IN THE CABINET UNDER
MIR. BALFOUR
SPEECHES AT A CONFERENCE AT THE
FOREIGN OFFICE-TRIBUTES TO
NEW PREMIER.

London, July 14-Sir Michael Hicks-Beach to-
day resigned Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Perhaps never has a change of Premiership
been effected with so little dislocation to busi-
ness. either public or private, as accompanied
the transfer of the seals of office from Lord
Salisbury to Mr.. Balfour. The occurrence had
effect whatever on the Stock Exchange The
only other change in the Cabinet thus far
nounced is the Chancellorship of the Exchequer.
though others foreshadowed- Mr. Balfour.
in addressing the first meeting of his followers
at the Foreign Office this afternoon, informed
them that he could not count on the continued
assistance of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, but
could count the latter's good wishes The
public showed little interest in the party meet
ing. which was summoned for noon, and the
members of Parliament gathered in Downing
St almost unnoticed. The new Premier. when
he entered the conference room of the Foreign
Office accompanied by the Duke of Devonshire,
Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Lord Londonderry and
others. was warmly welcomed, all present stand
ing and loudly cheering him. When Mr.. Bal
four rose to address the meeting all again stood
up and cheered the new chief. AS soon as quiet
was restored Mr.. Balfour referred to the loss
of the services of the leader who for nearly fifty
years had been engaged in active political life.
No one, he said, would grudge him his well
earned repose. though his loss irreparable.
MR.. BALFOURs SPEECH.
The Premier proceeded as follows:
do not flatter myself that the gap he has
left be filed. But the place he has left
must be occupied, and il is because the King has
desired to do my best TO take that position
that L have asked you to meet to-day. I
have accepted great task, and heavy re-
sponstbility, certainly from nc overweening be-
lief in my own capacity, but because / am sure
or. at least, have every reason to believe that in
attempting to carry on this work will have
the most important qualification leader can
have namely, the regard for and confidence in
those with whom he works. 1 have not had
the opportunity before of consulting you, but
/ have Of course, consulted those with whom /
have been working in the Cabinet these many
years, and If the kindness you are prepared to
extend to me is at all equal to the kindness they
have extended to me- then. indeed, the terrors.
difficulties 1 ought. perhaps TO say. of the
task before me are greatly mitigated. / cannot
now promise myself that shall have the con-
tInued assistance Of all my colleagues. One of
the most important of them. with whom have
been associated all my political life. and who
has occupied and deserves to occupy the highest
post in the House of Commons and state has
told me that cannot count on his further as
sistance. l mean the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer But, though grieve TO say l cannot
count with any assurance on his further as
sistance. 1 can count with absolute confidence
his good wishes in the labors that are be-
fore
At this juncture Sir Michael Hicks-Beach.
heartily Hear! Hearr' Mr. Balfour continued:
For myself I have nothing to say. To all the
members-at all events. 10 the members of the
House OF -Gomnlons-who- are listening TO mel
have secrets and no surprises You have
known me so well and so long that even were L
disposed to dwell on this thing there is nothing
/ could say which could or ought to alter the
Judgment already long ago formed. But II L
have nothing of personal nature to say at the
present time. neither have / any pronounce
ment to make. Changes there must be, conse-
quent on the great change which we have met
here 10 deplore. But this is not the occasion on
which either to discuss them or even think of
them. AS for the question of policy, / need
hardly tell you that the policy of the Unionist
party remains now what II has always been.
We have lost the services Of a brilliant advo-
cate Of our cause. We have lost man around
whom the sentiments and emotions of the party
have for many years crystallized. Nevertheless,
feel we would do wrong to despair. do wrong
to have even the faintest misgiving in regard to
the future of the cause he has long and
well upheld. II we preserve the unity in the
future which has never been wanting in
ranks in the past. the inherent vitality of
cause will make up for any weakness in the
arms which have to sustain it.
SIR MICHAEL's GOOD WISHES.
After a warm tribute TO Lord Salisbury by
the Duke of Devonshire, Sir Michael Hicks
Beach rose and said there was no one whom he
would more gladly and more readily have
cepted as leader of the party than the man he
years But Lord Salisbury's retirement was a
break with the traditions of his past political
life. Two years ago he had begged for per-
sonal and not for political reasons to be re-
lieved from office, but he had consented at Lord
Salisbury's instance to retain II to the end of the
He now felt that the moment had
when such poor services as he could render
could longer be necessary to the country
There were younger men who would do the
work at least as we'll as he had been able to do
it, He had therefore told Mr.. Balfour that 1t
was his strong desire TO take the present op-
portunty of retiring from the office he had so
long had the honor to hold. He had explained
to him the circumstances which he thought had
made necessary that view his part. Mr. Bal
four had been good enough to express a strong
desire that he should continue to act with him
his colleague, but had admitted that the
circumstances mentioned required consideration.
He could only say that if for the moment he
retained the office of which his tenure could not
by any possibility be long 1t would be becar
he desired to show that he entertained as fully
any of them a spirit of loyalty TO their new
leader and a desire TO give him. whether in
out of office, his best help in the administration
OF affairs.
After further tributes to Lord Salisbury and
approval of the selection of Mr.. Balfour
Premier the latter closed the conference by
saying that if ungrudging service to the in
terests of the country and party could in any
way make up for the generosity displayed by
those present, that ungrudging service was at
their disposal. He counted absolutely not only
the support of his colleagues present but on
the whole party throughout the country,
whether Conservatives. Unionsts Liberal
Unionsts, and he knew he was not wrong in
putting such trust in them, whatever times