The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-19
Chamberlain's Resignation, They Say.
Docs Not Mean a victory for
the Free-Traders.
CAMPAIGN WILL BE LIVELY
BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES ALREADY
MAKING PREPARATIONS.
Mr.. Chamberlain's First Public State
ment Since His Resignation Is i'm
Favor of n Tariff.

LONDON, Sept. 19.-The newspapers this
morning are crammed with discussions and
speculation regarding the political situa-
tion brought about by the resignation of
Mr.. Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer Ritchie and Lord George Hamil-
ton but no fresh development has yet been
announced. The Marquis of Lansdowne,
regarding whose intentions there is the
greatest interest, has gone to Balmoral to
relieve Lord Balfour of Burleigh as min
lister in attendance on the King.
Both political parties have already COM
menced active preparations for the coming
campaign, and opinion is sought of every
man of prominence at home and In the
colonies whose ideas likely to have in
fiuence.
Mr.. Asquith who is by many regarded as
the future leader of the Liberal party, tele-
graphed yesterday: "The situation in all its
essentials is unchanged. The duty of the
Liberals to defend free trade is as plain and
urgent as before
The opinion of the colonies is anxiously
canvassed as being the most important
factor in the situation. Sir Edmund Barton,
premier of the Australian commonwealth,
has declared in interview that he is
convinced Mr.. Chamberlain will ultimately
triumph, and that till that triumph is
achieved there will be no real union of the
empire.
Writing yesterday from his home at High
bury, Birmingham, Mr.. chamberlain made
his first public statement since his resigna-
ton. His letter is in reply to c. A. Pear
son, chairman of the executive council of
the Tariff Reform League, who asked If
Mr.. Chamberlain comedies with his view
that the examination of the tariff may be
considered as sufficiently advanced and the
league should now use its resources to ad-
vocate the employment of tariff for the
resources of the empire and defending the
Industries OF the United Kingdom.
TIME TO GO TO WORK.
Mr.. Chamberlain says: Il agree with
your views that we have sufficient material
in the way of facts and figures. We have
now TO state our conclusions and endeavor
10 get the people to adopt them"
Mr.. Chamberlain then gives his UNDER
standing of the position of the Tariff Re-
form League under two heads as coinciding
with his position. Their objects, he says,
are. First, a closer union 10 endeavor TO
make the empire self-sufficing as regards
its food supply: second, the employment of
tariff as weapon TO secure greater reci-
procity with foreign nations, or, failing
such arrangement, to prevent loss to the
home Industrial markets under the compe-
tition or protected countries by retaliating
upon them the treatment they mete out TO
US. On this understanding as to our views .
Mr.. Chamberlain concludes, 81 wish the
league success and the support of every one
desiring the union of the empire and the
continued prosperity of British commerce. .
The Liberal organs. though announcing
"the wreck OF the Tory party" which is
described being Hamlet without the
Prince nearly all agree in saying that
Mr.. Chamberlain's resignation does not
mean victory for free trade Though
the man has gone" says the Star. 'his pol
icy remains This Is Mr.. Chamberlain 8
Elba. He has yet to meet his Waterloo.
This Is borne out by reports from Birming-
ham. where the powerful organization i'm
favor of preferential tariffs Is eentered
There, though the resignation OF the head
and shoulders of the movement came as a
great surprise. ceaseless activity prevails.