The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-09-17
PREMIER BALFOUR OF GREAT
BRITAIN ISSUES 4 PAMPHLET
DISCUSSING 1T.
ATTITUDE OF CHAMBERLAIN
BURNING QUESTION OF THE MO.
MENT BEFORE THE BRIT
ISH PEOPLE.


length arguments in favor of a change
in Great Britain's fiscal policy. In in
Producing the pamphlet, Mr. Balfour
says his purpose in issuing it is that it
would be impossible to put all the i'm
portant points of this question within
the limits of a single speech and there
fore he says the pamphlet may be a
fitting preliminary to the speech which
he will shortly make. This undoubt-
,edly refers to the speech Mr.. Balfour
will make at Sheffield, Oct. 1.
Mr. Balfour says he approaches the
subject from the standpoint of free
trader as far as contemporary circum-
stances will permit.
The arguments presented through
out the pamphlet vary little from those
already enunciated, but the premier
points out that as a result of England
policy of retaining a fiscal policy made
for free trade country in a world of
free traders. not for a free trade coun-
try in a world of protectionists, the
rate of her export trade has not in
creased, and in fact has seriously di-
minished
Departments Show Decay.
Compared with past years, some de-
partments show no increase, while
others show symptoms of decay. The
premier asserts that there is no reason
to expect an Improvement. Mean
while Germany, America, France, Rus.
STA and even Great Britain's self-gov-
erning colonies continue to build up a
protected interest within their border.
Mr. Balfour says the mistakes made
by the free traders half century ago
have left Great Britain bearing all the
burdens and enjoying only half the adj
vantages which should attach to the
empire. He devotes space to the ef-
feet of protection upon combinations
in countries in which protection ex-
lists. This the premier points out is
to the disadvantage of the British man.
ufacturer, who is unable to compete
with the manufacturer that is able to
sell abroad at lower price than he
charges for the same article at home
He gives an instance of German steel
in this particular, saying that it is SELL
ing cheaper in England than the Eng
lish manufacturer can possibly pro-
duce it
Mr.. Balfour declares that the opti-
nlists who advocate a continuance of
the free trade. policy in place Of the
injury worked by protection on Great
Britain's interests, are foolish and
their arguments little short of reck-
less. The only possible hope of a
mitigation of the evil is through ne
gotiatiOn, which, he says, can only
appeal to self interest in foreign pro-
tected countries, and in the case of
the colonies to self interest coupled
with sentiment.
Should Get Rid of Bonds.
Mr.. Balfour concludes: TT cannot
be right for a country with free trade
ideals to enter into competition with
prOtectiOnist rivals, self deprived of
the only instrument whereby their
policy can cOnceivably be modified.
The most essential object of our ma
tional effort should be to get rid of the
bonds in which we have gratuitously
entangled ourselves The precise
manner in which we should use our
regained liberty is important, yet, af-
ter all, only a secondary ISSUE"
The publication of the pamphlet i'm
mediately after the momentous cabi-
net council held Monday and Tuesday
indicates that it embodies a statement
of policy accepted or rather acQuiesced
in by the majority of the cabinet If
this assumption is correct it means the
abandonment of the idea of preferen-
tial tariff with the colonies and the
taxation of food, in favor of system
Of retaliatOry duties Even this, how
ever, is tentative. Mr.. Balfour in his
speech Oct. 1, is expected to elaborate
and explain his case, and then the
cabinet will closely watch it's recep-
ton by the Conservative delegates.
In short the great question of free
trade versus protection, so far as the
cabinet is concerned, is still unde-
cided.
The Burning Question.
What will be Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain's attitude is the burning
question of the moment The most
striking feature of Mr.. Balfours PAM
phlet is that from the beginning to the
end it does not refer to Mr.. Chamber
lain's proposals. There is not a word
about the threatened breaking up of
the empire or preferential tariffs, and
the colonies are scarcely mentioned.
On the contrary, the whole line of Mr..
Balfour's reasoning is opposed to tar
IFS for purely protectlon1st purpose.
Hence. Mr.. Chamberlain is faced with
the alternative Of either abandoning
preferential tariffs, or prosecuting his
campaign unsupported by Mr.. Balfour
According to the Daily Mail, Mr..
Chamberlain agrees under the stress
of necessity not to press his pro-
gramme The paper says he probably
will not admit that his schemes are
abandoned, but nevertheless they can
safely be regarded by the public as
dead for the time being at least.
A circumstantial statement is pub
lished attributing to the colonial Sec
rotary the prediction of a general elec-
tion and the defeat of the government
in the spring. The Conservatives will
be in opposition for six months and
then he will return to Office with the
country at his back.
Costly Fire in Texas.