New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-31
R0SEBERY'S LEADERSHIP
Fiscal Battle Resolving Itself Into a
Duel Betsoeen Tmperialists.
London. October IA. 1000


give rnisplay." does not apply TO his GOOD fort,
une IN politics. for even when he has revealed
lack Of deNterity and has thrown away the
advantages OF a strong lead with a winning
suit the cards are reshufAed and his hand is
again filed With trumps. Mr. Morley's biog-
Taphy OF Mr.. Gladstone contains only one reve-
Iation Of secret political history This is the
biographer's own statement that Mr. Gladstone
about the time Of his resignation IN 1898 said
that II his counsel were asked respecting The
succession he should advise the Queen TO send
for Lord Spencer. "As IL happened" remarks
Mr.. Morley. sententioGsly. his advice was not
sought. and, consequently. Lord Rosebery be-
came Prime Minister. with general under
standing on the part Of Liberal Home Rulers
that Mt. Gladstone had designated him as
his successor" This was great stroke Of good
fortune. but owing TO various causes his Pre-
miership was a failure. and he was forced 20
-~ssign the leadership OF a party which was dis
acted with faction feuds and 5ealousies
rom his lonely fu-rOw he has emerged with
-7mnanding influence TO denounce the inefs-
ency 81 the government Of the day or TO ad-
vocate the issues Of a new and saner Liberalism:
but Invariably he has been misunderstood and
there have been phrases 10 explain away in sub
sequent speeches and letters and there has
been sense OF nerveless leadership Yet one
opportunity follows another and he now seems
70 be the only leader capable OF rivalling Mr.
chamberlain either in oratory or intellectual
over and 81 rsllying the forces Of the oppo-
ton for the defence Of free trade.
There has been a week Of defamation and
1gument since Mr.. Chamberlain's speeches in
glasgow and Greenock. but his appeals have
" II been effectively answered. Mr.. Asquith has
summed UP the case with the trained talent
cf an advocate but he has not broken the force
~ Mr.. Chamberlain's argument that England is
not holding the same relative position as an
exporting and manufacturing nation which she
occupied thirty years ago. in comparison with
her rivals Mr.. Asquith is a close reasoner and
has a quick eye for detecting the flaws in an
adversary's argument; Yet, like Mr.. James
Bryce he talks high above the heads Of work
ing people Lord Spencer has been equally
convincing with his platitudes about prosperity
under free trade. Mr.. Lloyd George has been
fairly humorous in rdiculing Mr.. Chamber
iair's pleas for dear food and cheap offal
three dukes and pig in place Of three acres
and q COW. and the conversion Of the United
Kingdom into bacon curing establishment;
but he has not answered the essential argument
that foreigners. especially Americans and Ger
mans were getting portion OF England's share
in the worlds trade and that the commerce of
the United Kingdom was not increasing as it
should in order 20 support adequately a greatly
enlarged population. Sir Henry Fowler has
subjected the protectionist proposals TO various
tests and assumed with comfortable optimism
that workingnen have steadier employment.
better wages a higher standard Of living and
cheaper supplies Of food and clothing in Eng
land than on the ContinelIt-he Is shrewd
enough to avoid making comparisons with
Americana ne has also charged Mr.. Cham
berlain with seeking TO bride loyal colonies and
to break Up the empire Neither Sir Henry
Fowler nor Mr.. Richie has answered Mr.
Chamberlain's arguments that foreign raiders
are depriving British worl1men Of employment
and that the consolidation OF the empire by
means OF preferential tariffs is a policy OF su-
preue Importance.
Indeed. until Lord Rosebery appeared on the
platform at Sheffield last night the most effec-
tive criticism Of Mr.. Chamberlain's speeches IN
Scotland has come from Mr.. Winston Churchill.
He has ridicUled the idea that everybody viii
gain and nobody lose by the proposed fiscal
changes and described Mr. Chamberlain a
quack with a cureall It cannot be doubted that
consumers VIII be called upon, at least tenn
porarily. 10 make some sacrifices under
system OF colonial preferences taxation Of i'm
ported food and available tariff OF 10 per
cent on foreign manufactures. M Chamber
lain's equation Of farthings in the rearrange-
merit Of taxes on food is very neat but il is not
% convincing demonstration that every one VIII
be better of for having his bread and meat
taxed: and any measures for preventing the
dumping Of cheap manufactures in the English
market must temporarily raise prices OF COM
ncdities and affect the purchasing power OF
wages These effects might be mninnized
time went on and home and colonial industries
were stimulated but there would be some
hardships and Disadvantages at the outset
Nj Chamberlain would have strengthened his
case Il he had been less explicit in declaring
that rnanUfa cturers and vorkrnen. millers and
agricultural Iaborers. shippers and consumers
would gain at once by a change in hscal
methods Some sacrifices viii necessarily be
involved IN the substitution Of preferential
achedules and tariff policies for the free trade
.-stern. 10 which all interests in the United
KINGDOM have been adjusted for two genera
lions Trnperial federation and the defence Of
the home market viii fully justify these sac
ridces
Nj Churchill is however, a young apprentice
fr British politics He cannot answer master
of debate like NJ Chamberlain without eX-
rosing himself 10 severe punishment in the
House. This was done one OF the closing
nights OF the session when Mr.. Chamberlain
turned upon him with q contemptuous gesture
and the mock pecan: Jam and pickles shall
triumph OUTSIDE the Commons Mr.. Churchill
80 too insignificant a figure TO be arrayed
gainst ar. Chamberlain. Lord Rosebery. while
not q debater equally ready and adroit is
match for the Birmingham leader as an orator;
and his personality is as attractive and mag
re;ic he has q more melodious voice and
a more graceful style and he speaks with
equal nuency and self-possession and with as
decisive an air OF authority. Mr.. Chamberlain
keeps his audience ia good humor by the keen
ness OF his unexpected thrusts and by the ag-