The San Francisco call., 1903-12-16
Chamberlain Winner
in Two British
Districts.
Conservative Candidates
Triumph Over the
Free Traders.
Position Of the New Fiscal POlicy's
Champion Greatly Strengthened
by the Victory.

LONDON. Dec. bye elections
were held to-day in the Dulwich divi-
sion Of Camberwell and at Lewisham
to fill vacancies caused by the deaths
of Sir John Blunden Maple and John
Penn, both Of whom had represented
their constituencies for many years in
the Conservative interests.
In the borough of Lewisham Major
Coates, Conservative, was elected by a
majority Of 2O12.
At DUlwich z. Rutherford Harris.
Conservative, was elected by a major
ity Of 1437.
Few bye elections Of recent years
have evoked a 1.-THE Of the interest
shown in to-day's contest. Dr. Harris.
Conservative, who was confidential
agent of the late Cecil Rhodes. and c.
F. G. Masterman. Liberal, contested
Dulwich. while Major Coates and ]. ".
Cleland represented the Conservatives
and Liberals, respectively, in the Lew
isham borough. The fiscal question has
been prominent throughout the cam
paign and Joseph Chamberlain inter-
vened with letters ir support Of the
Conservative candidates The question
OF the importation Of Chinese labor into
South Africa has been used by the Lib
erals at Dulwich as an anti-Harrts
slogan. while the Conservatives even
dragged in the Kings name, attaching
the words Edward, Rex" to posters
in such a way as to create the impress
sion that the King was a supporter Of
Chamberlain's fiscal policy.
NOT AUTHORIZED BY KING
The Liberals teIegraphed to the King
on the subject and promptly received
a reply authorizing the statement that
no permission had been given TO use
the Kings name in any way.
Hundreds of motor cars toured the
constituencies. bringing voters to the
polls.
Joseph Chamberlain expressed him
self as delighted with the result OF the
elections. and the protectiOnist dailies
claim the results as a complete triumph
for Chamberlain's policy.
Both constituencies polled very heav-
iIv. I.ewisham. which is largely
working class district. shows reduced
majority of about 400. compared with
the last contested election Of 1892. In
DuIwich. whicn is mainly the home OF
the city clerk. a greater reduction IS
shown. the majority for the Conserva-
tives in 1895 having reached 1900. These
reductions are of small significance,
however. in the face OF the fact that
the Chamberlainite candidates obtained
large majOrities where the free trade
party undoubtedly hoped TO win
TRIUMPH OF CHAMBERLAIN.
This double victory will be OF great
advantage to Chamberlain, who VIII
resume his campaign tomorrow night
at Leeds. when he will address a big
meeting.
The Liberal dailies confess dis
couragement and urge the free traders
TO redoubIe their efforts, since. as the
Chronicle remarks, Mr.. Chamberlain
is a power in the country which IL
would be most serious not to estimate
highly"
The Daily News discusses the prob
ability of the Government being en-
couraged by yesterdays results, ap-
peaIing to the country without delay.
The Daily Telegraph boldly suggests
that the result must dispel Balfour's
doubts as to whether the country is
ripe for a preferential policy and pro-
poses that Mr.. Chamberlain should be
invited to proceed personally to the
colonies and see what practical ar
rangements can be made 70 secure a
complete commercial union within the
empire"