The Indianapolis journal., 1903-09-18
CHAMBERLAIN OUT
COLONIAL SECRETARY QUITS THE
BRITISH CABINET.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Richie
and Secretary for India Ham,
fIton Also Resign.
OTHERS MAY DO LIKEWISE
KING EDWARD PROMPTLY ACCEPTS
THE REsIGNATIoNs.
Earl of seIborne May Become Colonial
Secretary and Austen Chamber
lain Chancellor of ExcheQuer.
SURPRISE FOR POLITICIANS
PARTY LINES PROBABLY WILL SOON
BE RECONSTRUCTED.
Split Is Due TO Differences I'm Fiscal
PoIicy-Letters Written by BalfOur
and Joseph Chamberlain
Earl of seIborne May Become Colonial
Secretary and Austen Chamber
lain Chancellor Of ExcheQuer.
SURPRISE FOR POLITICIANS
PARTY LINES PROBABLY WILL SOON
BE RECONSTRUCTED.
Split Is Due to Differences i'm Fiscal
PoIicy-Letters Written by Balfour
and Joseph Chamberlain.

LONDON, Sept. 1.-THE official announce
ment of the resignation of Mr.. Chamber
lain and two other members of the Cabinet
was made late tonight at Downing street
in the following communication:
''The following ministers have rendered
their rssignations, which have been accept
ed by the King:
Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, secre-
tary for the colonies.
Right Hon. c. T. Ritchie. chancellor of
the exchequer.
Lord George Hamilton. secretary for
India.
The accompanying correspondence
passed between the premier. Right Hon.
a. ]. Balfour and Mr.. Chamberlain"
Then follows MIR. Chamberlain's letter
dated Birmingham. Sept. 9. commencing,
''Mr. Dear Bslfour.'' in which he sets forth
his reasons for his resignation. feature
of the letter is the following statement con-
cerning a preferential tariff:
For the present. at any rate, preferen-
tial agreement with our colonies involving
any new duty. however small. on articles
of food hitherto untaxed, even IL accom-
panied BY a reduction of taxation on other
articles Of food equally universal in their
consumption, would be unacceptable to the
majority of the constituencies. However
mich we may regret the deeislon, ad however however
ment in democratic country can ignore
IL. 1 feel, therefore, that as an immediate
10 the colonies cannot be pressed with any
hope OF success at the present time, al
: though there Is very strong feeling In
favor OF the other branch OF fiscal reform
which would give fuller discretion 20 the
government IN negotiating with foreign
countries for freer exchange of commod-
tiles and which would enable our represent
atives 70 retaliate il no concession was
made to our just demands
HASTE WAS URGED.
IL as believe, you share these views, IL
seems 10 me that you will be absolutely JUS
titled in adopting them as the policy Of your
government although IL will necessarily in
voIve some changes in it's Constitution. AS
secretary for the colonies during the last
eight years I have been in a special sense
the representative OF the policy of a closer
union, which / firmly believe TO be equally
necessary In the interests of the colonies
and ourselves. I believe 1t is possible to-
day and may be impossible tomorrow 10
make arrangements for such a union.
have had unexampled opportunities of
watching events and appreciating the feel
ings of our kinsmen beyond the seas. /
stand. therefore, I'm different position to
any OF my colleagues. and i think that L
should justly be blamed IL | remained in
Office ard thus formally accepted the exclu-
pOrtant part thereof.
IT think that with absolute loyalty to
your government and with no fear of en-
barrassing IL in any way, can best pro-
mote the cause 1 have at heart from the
outside. and / cannot but hope that in
perfectly independent position my argu-
ments may be received with less prejudice
than would attach TO those of a party lead
er. Accordingly, / would suggest that you
limit the present policy of the government
20 an assertion OF our freedom in the case
of all commercial relations with foreign
countries and that you should agree to my
rendering my resignation Of my present Of
fec TO his Majesty and devoting myself TO
the work of explaining and popularizing
these principles OF imperial union which
experience has convinced me are essential
TO onr future welfare and prosperity"
THE OLD CRY DEAR LOAF"
Tho first portion OF this letter refers TO
MIR. Chamberlain's first speech on the SUBJ
jcct al Birmingham and Mr.. Balfours reply
60 the corn tax deputation. Mr.. Chamber
lain says that neither OF them was intended
TO provoke purely party controversy. He
points out the unyielding opposition OF the
Liberal party. which secuted the idea that
system generally accepted in 1876 could
possibly require modification in 1906. Mean
while the advocates of the reconsideration
were at a great disadvantage. owing to the
admitted differences of opinion inside the
party. The political organization of the
party was psralyZed. Mr.. Chamberlain de-
made of the old cry of the dear loaf and
that serious prejudice has been created. In
the rest of the letter he goes briefly over
the same ground regarding protection as did
Dir. Balfour In his recent statement.
Mr.. Balfour. In letter 10 Mr.. Chamber
lain dated Sept. IS. explains that he did not
reply earlier because he knew he would
have soon an opportunity OF talking over
the important issues with which the letter
deals Therefore. this reply rather en-
bodies the results OF our conversations than
adds anything new TO them" Mr.. Balfour
continues:
Agreeing. as / do. with you that the
time has come when a change should be
made In the fiscal canons by which we
bound ourselves in our commercial dealings
with other governments, il seems paradox
ical, indeed, that you should leave the Cab
met at the same time that others OF my
colleagues are leaving IL who disagree on
the very point with US both. Yet / cannot
but admit that there is some force in your
arguments in support OF that course. based.
a. they are, upon your special and personal
relation with that portion OF the contro-
yersy which deals with colonial prefer
ence. You have done more than any man
living or dead 10 bring home 10 the citizens
OF the empire the consciousness of imperial
various fragments into which the empire Is
geographically divided.
CLOSER UNION BENEFICIAL.
'I believe you to be right in holding that
this interdependence should find expression
in our commercial as well as In our political
aud military relations. / believe with you
that a closer fiscal union between the mother
country and the colonies would benefit the
trade Of both. and that IL such closer union
could be established on fitting terms its
advantage to both parties would increase
with years and as the colonies grew in
wealth and population.
''U there has ever been any difference be-