The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-15
A Single Dramatic Incident
Marked MomentOus
Change
CHANCELLOR OE EXCHEOUER
RETIRES FROM HIS POST
Others Who Have Figured Largely In
Great Britain's Affairs Are Ex-
pected to Disappear From
the Political Arena.

London, July 4.-A. J. Balfour was to-
day formally greeted ss Great Brftain's
premier, and tile new regime began its
work. The momentous change was
marked oy only one really dramatic in
cident, namely, the resignation of Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach from his post of
chancellor OF the exechequer. Yet this
lack of outward show and public prelude
to new chapter In English history is by
no means representative of the distur-
bance which the sudden transition creat-
ed in the under currents of political life.
It is safe to say that Sir Michael Hicks
Beach is only the firss of several whose
names have figured largely before the
public in the last half century, and who
now will disappear from political
arena.
Nothing absolutely definite is yet set
tied. but the Unionst party expects short
ly to hear of the designations of Earl
Halshury. lord high chancellor Lord
James of Hereford. Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster. and Earl cado-
gan, lord lieutenant of Ireland
For Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's place.
DTeSl-
dent of the board of agriculture. is the
favorite. In the pending reconstruction.
which may not be completed for some
time to come, Mr. Balfour much to the
delight of the Unionists, will remain the
leader in the House of Commons and first
lord OF the treasury, with Mr.. Chamber
lain still In command of the colonies as
his first lieutenant If Earl Halsbury, on
account of his great age. fulflls rredic-
1axau 44.t..
succeed to the Weolsack, Sir Richard
Hem Collins becoming lord chief justice.
Sir R. B. Flnlay succeeding him as mas
| ter Of the rolls, Sir r. H. Carson, now
solicitor general, becoming attorney gem
eral and probably Charles Alfred
Chripps attorney general to the Prince
of Wales, succeeding to the solicitor gem
| eralship.
| Unanimous on One Point.
On only one point the members of the
| House OF Commons, who throughout the
! day animstedly discussed the new state
! OF affairs, seemed practically unanimous,
and that was that Austin Chamberlain,
| financial secretary of the treasury, would
/ be promoted, a majority mentioning him
as likely to succeed Mr.. Hanbury should
the latter take the ohancellorshlp of the
exchequer 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 Sec
Ietary for ireland. There Is no little geA-
| sip concerning some changes In the po-
sition of Lord George Hamilton, now
| secretary of state for India, one we'll
known member of the House of Conn
mons saying he had heard that Lord
George Hamilton was among those who
would throw up their portfolios. Lord
Hamiltcns brother-in-law, the Marquis
CT Lansdowne, is regarded as certain to
n q ha fs
carrying out lines laid down by Lord
Salisbury.
There is apparently no serious anticl-
patton of a general election, though In
some quarters 1t is thought the desire at
tributed to the Kirg to have a new Par
lament after his coronation might cause
an appeal to the country. though the
new premier is not believed to see any
necessity therefor.
Scene In House of Commons.
Mr.. Balfour's first appearance IN the
House of Commons as premier was char
acteristic CT the man and of The assembly.
From the party meeting at the foreign
office the members trooped en- bloc and
shortly after 2 o'clock the house was
packed. Both front benches were filed
with ministers and ex-minIsters except
for vacant place opposite the mace.
where Mr.. Balfour was such a familiar
figure. Peers came into the gallery and
rallied expectedly on the rails. Among a
nervous, ceaseless chatter of questions
which were ratified through, Sir Michael
Hicks-Beach sat gloomily among his col
leagues he was soon to leave.
Suddenly the chatter ceased and there.
arose from behind the speakers chair
the long, thin figure of the prime minis
ter. All sides of the house rose with
hear, hear" the members rising and
keeping up the applause till Mr.. Balfour,l
who sidled along the treasury bench.
nearly falling over Sir Michael Hicks
Beachs feet, reached his seat and buried
tion
BaIfour Overcome.
He was blushing like a school girl. Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman the Liberal
leader, stopped further business by maxi
ing such a feeling personal reference to
Mr.. Balfour is seldom heard in legis-
lative bodies and which was delivered
with an emotion that quite unnerved the
premier. When Mr. Baifour rose to re-
ply the ovation was renewed. but his
voice faltered and he was only just able,
hesitatingly to declare that he was over
come to find words of thanks.
Mr.. Balfours tribute to Lord Salisbury.
which as universally commended for its
tactfui reserve. the House was emptied.
the members gathering on the terrace
and in the lobbies discussing the impor-
tant features that the day had brought
forth.
King Edward received Mr.. Balfour in
audience today at Buckingham palace
and delivered to him the seals Of his
office and the privy SEAL
Victorian Cross Conferred