The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1903-09-25
CABINET BROKEN
THREE MEMBERS OF BRITISH
MINISTRY RESIGN.
THEY ARE PROMPTLY ACCEPTED
Mr.. Chamberlain's Letter Setting
Forth Reasons for His Resignation
Official Announcement as Made
by the Associated Press.

LONDON-The official announce.
ment of the resignation of Mr.. Cham.
berlain and two other members of the
cabinet is made. as follows:
Three prime ministers have ten
dered their designations, which have
been accepted by the king. Right
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, secretary
for the colonies; Right Hon. C. T.
Ritchie, chancellor of the eXcheguer,
and Lord George Hamilton, secretary
for India"
Here follows Mr.. Chamberlains let
ter, dated Birmingham, September 8,
in which he sets forth his reasons for
his resignation:
For the present, at any rate, a
preferential agreement with our colo
MES involving any new duty, however
small on articles of food hitherto un
taxed, even if accompanied by re-
duction of taxation on other articles
of food equally universal in their con.
sumption, would be unacceptable to
the majority Of the constituencies.
However much we may regret the
decision, however mistaken we may
think it, no good government in a
democratic country can ignore it.
feel therefore that as an immediate
practical policy the question of prefer.
ence to the colonies cannot be press.
ed with any hope of success at the
strong feeling in favor of the other
branch of the fiscal reform which
would give further discretion to the
government in negotiating with for.
eign countries for commodities, and
would enable our country to retalia,
ton if opposition was made to our
just demands.
IF, as | believe, you share these
views, it seems to me that you will
be absolutely justified in adopting them
as the policy of your government, al.
though it will neces sarily involve some
changes in its constitution
"As secretary for the colonies dur
ing the last eight years, l have been
in a special serse the representative
of the policy OF a closer union which
I firmly believe to be equally neces-
sary in the interest of the colonies
and ourselves. l believe it is possible
today and may be impossible tomor-
row to make arrangements for such
a union. l have had uneXampled op.
portunities of watching events and ap
preciating the feelings o. our kins-
men beyond the seas. / stand, there
of my colleagues and l think that I
should justly be blamed if l remained
in Office, and thus formally accepted
the exclusion from my political pro
gram of so great part thereof.
Il think that, with absolute loyalty
to your government and no fear oil
embarrassing it in any way, can best
promote the cause l have at heart
from the outside, and I cannot but
hope that in perfectly independent
position my arguments will be re
ceived with less prejudice than will
attach to those of party leader. Ac
cordingly, would suggest that you
limit the present policy of the gov
ernment to an assertion of our free;
dom in the case of all commercial
relations with all foreign countries
and that you should agree to my ten
dering my resignation Of my present
office to his majesty, and devotins
myself to the work of explaining and
popularizing these principles of impe
rial union which experience has con.
vinced me are essential to our welfare
and prosperity. Yours very sincerely
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN.