The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-09-24
SURPRISED THEM
BRITISH WERE NOT EXPECTING
CHAMBERLAIN TO RESIGN.
No Hint of Intended Action Until
Announcement Was Made. Ham
ilton and Ritchie Also GO--Gen-
orally Believed Liberals Will
Win Next Election.

London, Sept. lS.-The retirement
of Colonial Secretary Chamberlain,
which precipitates the most dramatic
crisis and the bitterest party struggle
since his secession from Mr.. Gladstone's
home rule cabinet, was unknown and
unsupported in London until the Off
cial announcement was published, late
at night, too late for the evening pa
pers. II only became known to the
general public from the morning pa
pers. There had been much exchang-
ing of political visits early in the day.
but as Premier Balfour and his brother
Gerald left for their home at Whiting
ham early in the day, it was thought
nothing would happen for day or two.
Late in the evening, however, the king 6
acceptance of the designations OF MI.
Chamberlain, Mr.. Richie and Lord
George Hamilton arrived from Balmo'
raj, enabling the premier's secretary to
make the official announcement.
1t is understood that the designations
of some other members of the cabinet
are imminent, and that Lord Balfour
of Burleigh, secretary for Scotland, has
actually resigned, although the fact has
not yet been formally given out. Lord
Lansdowne, the foreign secretary, left
last night for Balmoral, whittier Pre-
mier Balfour and his brother are also
expected to proceed Immediately.
Surprise in Clubs.
In the Conservative clubs last night
the manner in which the crisis WAS
precipitated was almost as great a sur
prise as in the Liberal quarters. Cur
iosity centers on the attitude of the
Duke of Devonshire, whose resignation
has been fully expected 1t was sup
posed by some that he would take the
present opportunity of retiring from
politics, on the ground of his advanced
years. AS to the reconstruction of the
cabinet no great interest is excited,
because it is recognized as impossible
that an appeal to the country can much
longer be delayed, and the opinion is
general that in the present shattered
condition of the Unionist party the
Liberals will be returned to power.
The editorials in the government or
gans this morning practically recognize
the certainty that the Liberas will
come into power, while admitting that
Mr.. Chamberlain had gained a bril-
liant triumph by winning Mr.. Balfour
over to his opinions.
Mr.. Balfour's Position.
Mr.. Balfour's letter, in this sense. is
considered vastly more important than
his recent pamphlet, because in it he
unhesiratingly admits the principle of
Mr.. Chamberlain project, only con-
tending that the country is not yet ripe
for it. 1t is clear, however, that he
regards retaliation as a stepping stone
to preferential tariff and the taxation
of food. That the Unionist party as a
whole does not agree with this view is
equally self-evident.
The Conservative papers, while con-
graduating Mr.. Chamberlain on his
courage and devotion to his principles.
regret his action because it lie his belief
that the country will not consent to the
taxation of food
Liberals Jubilant.
The Liberals are jubilant. With the
discredit attaching to the government
as the result of the report of the South
African war commission. and the strong
free trade tendency in the country. as
revealed by the recent bye-elections,
they look forward to an appeal to the
country with the utmost confidence.
The Radical Daily News, in It's joy,
declares
"Mr. Chamberlain has met his Wa.
terloo, and in his heart he knows it,.
His campaign will be invested with
great personal interest, but it will be
the campaign of lost cause"
Earl Spencer, Liberal leader in the
house of lords, in an interview last
night, admitted that the news came as
complete surprise to him, and,
though it was satisfactory from a party
point of view, it would mean very
stiff election fight with such powerful
opponent as Chamberlain.