The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-10
Startling Development of Pro- pOsaI to Abolish the
 Com Tax
DISSOLUTION OF HOUSE
 FEARED BY MEMBERS
Sensations Follow In Quick Succession and It Is Reported That BaIfour May Also Resign From
 the Cabinet.

London, June 9.--The rumored resigna- tion of Colonial Secretary Chamberlain is the most startling development of the proposal of the chancellor of the exche- quer, MT. Ritchie, to abolish the corn tax. the debate on which kept the house of commons today packed and spell bound until midnight. Even if Premier Balfour persuaded MT. Chamberlain to re- main in the cabinet, the colonial secre- hopelessly showed under, and his inHu- ence as a political power in Great Britt ain at least Is temporarily eelipsed.
 All the members of the government who contributed to today's debate, vigorously declared themselves as free traders, and frankly opposed MT. Chamberlan's pro- posals Except for MT. Chaplin. not voice on either side of the house was raised in effective support of MT Cham berlain's campaign. Former members of cabinets and private members, irrespec- tive of party, protested against any dick ering with Great Britain fiscal policy. The United States view with the liberals in declaring themselves out and out free traders. All that was lacking in the com plete route of the protectionists' cabinet minister was MT. Balfour's official pro- nouncement as premier, on behalf of the government, that the cabinet as a whole refused to adopt MT. Chamberlain's views. Both the pronouncement and the premier were absent from the debate, be- cause, according to report, MT. Balfour was spending the evening endeavoring to persuade the colonial secretary to re- main in the cabinet, notwithstanding his differences with his colleagues.
 Adjourned With Sensation.
 The debate was adjourned at midnight, when, adimst a sensation, Chancellor of the Excheuquer Ritchie said he hoped MT. Balfour would be able to give the house on Wednesday a definite statement on behalf of the entire cabinet, though he could not promise 1t.
 Upon the resumption of the debate. Mir. Chaplain's amendment to the budget bill, which is the cause of this sensational political crisis, will be taken up. Sir Henry Campbel- Zimmerman will demand the right of the liberals to know the premier's attitude towards free trade before they support him In the repeal of the corn tax.
 MT. Balfour will reply and MT Chamber lain is also expected to speak. There are many members who believe tonight that Premier Bafour will also resign, and 
 but these rumors lack confirmation, the best opinion being that a solution of the crisis will be arrived at by MT. Chamber lains resignation, or by open declara- tion that he is willing to drop for the present his preferential tariff proposals
 MT. Chaplain's amendment was scarcely made today before it became a secondary consideration it's defeat was assured. Un- til midnight the fight if such an undefend- ed struggle could be so described, ragged around Mr Chamberlain. "Oil and vitriol," is the only adequate description of Sir Michael Hicks-B -Beach's speech which started the revolt. Amid intense silence this famous tory ex-minister ex- tolled the colonial secretary's virtures and damned his programme.
 "Black Michael, as he is familiarly called, was never seen to better advant- age.
 Sat With Troubled Faces.
 The ministers sat with troubled faces MT. Balfour looking especially dejected. MT. Chamberlain, deserting his usual place, paler even than usual stretched himself nonchalently at the end of the treasury bench. Throughout the after noon he never exchanged a word with his colleagues. After MT. Ritchie had renounced the colonial secretary's ideas MT. Chamberlain stalked out of the chamber without even a nod to MT. Bal four.
 Member after member rose from the unionist ranks; some who supported Mr. Chamberlain refused to "eat their words. with which they had previously support ed the government when the corn tax was originally brought in; others lauded