The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-20
4 MINISTRY SPLIT.

A MINISTRY SPLIT.
Tho puzzlins problem that long has
confronted England Is how to preserve
unity Of the empire and draw her colo'lio me-.
into closer trade relations with her. Inc
scheme urged by Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain Is to establish an Imperial r'u
zollyerlen, or customs union, ana SET up
protective tariffs against non British
countries, and sometime ago no TOOK
4he stump" as we would say IN TINS
country, In advocacy of his views. Ihe
result was that the vitality Of the Brush
free trade sentiment was exhibited WIN
conspicuousness that must have been ap-
Mailing to him. The Liberal, Radical anu
Labor parties came out squarely against
his proposals, and the dominant OPINION
In his own Unionlst party Is also antago-
nistc to his views.
Premier Balfour for his party, showed
ia yaclllating mind though really ne IS
In sympathy with Mr., Chamberlain, whiie
Mr.. Richie, Chancellor Of the BScheauer,
as far back as July, made O vigorous
speech in London, in which he stoutiy
opposed any fundamental change In Eng.
lands fiscal policy. Recent byc-elections
have shown that his position more nearly
parallels public sentiment than either
Chamberlain's or Balfours.
And SO Mr. Chamberlain and others-not
in accord with him or with Balfour-have
resigned from the ministry and left MT.
Balfour nounderlng In doubt and distress.
Tho pea SON 0 giyenA by Mr.. Chamberlain
for resigning was that he could not accept
tho Frontiers programme Of retaliatory
duties agalnst Manufactured imports, and
now the doom Of the present British gov
eminent seems sealed.
Mr.. Chamberlains theory is that In
order to have anything to offer the colo
MES as an inducement to them to give to
England's exports lower traiff rates than
those accorded other nations, there must
be duties imposed on the food importation
OF the British people. In other words, to
persuade Canada and Australia to buy
more manufactured goods from England.
England, he thinks, would have to set up
a tariff against the wheat and meats of
the United States. This scheme has been
described "as starving the mother coun-
try In order to consolidate the empire"
The correspondence between Chamber
lain and Balfour is summarized BY the
New York Herald MS follows:
Mr.. Chamberlain writes an admission that
''for the present at any rate" tax on
food. however small. would be unao-
ceptable to the majority Of the constitu-
encies;" but he argues that there is o
very strong feeling in favor of the other
branch of fiscal reform which would give
fuller discretion to the government In
negotiating with. foreign countries for a
freer exchange OF commodities, and which
would enable our representatives to 70.
taliate II no concession was made to out
Just demands.
II think I can best promote the cause
have at heart from the outside" is Mr.
Chamberlain's explanation for rcsigning
and he proceeds to tell Mr.. Balfour tina
no should 'limit the present policy Of tho
government" to this scheme for "retalia'
tion." Mr.. Balfour In reply eulogizes Mr.
Chamberlain. admits that "the public Ii
not yet ripe" for tho brilliant scheme Of
protective tariff on food in favor Of the
colonies. but Is apparently in full sym
psthy with Mr.. Chamberaln's views ant
finds 1t "paradox!cal" that he should leave
bers who dramatically disagree with hin
are also withdrawing.
MIR. Chamberlain has said that he doe
not propose to tax raw material, whicl
he believes could not be done wIthou
irreparable injury to England as a manu-
featuring nation. But the question ha
been asked IL raw material be not take
how could England give Australia or tn
South African colonies so valuable pre-
ference as 1t would give Canada? He ha
been understood as favor!ng tax OF rou
shillings a quarter (clght bushels) @
wheat along with reductions Of dutie
or tea. sugar and tobacco. This 70,
q sh!liings' tax IN favor OF Canada. for II
stance, It IS supposed would bring abo
negotiations with the United States Il
reciprocity. under the pressure fro
American farmers,
We suppose Mr.. Chamberlains idea
that an exact po!se in reciprocity cou
be reached SO that Canada and Austral
would have some of England's foodstuf
trade and the United States some, but II
British people have been Sounded su
fciently to let the world know that In,
are not In favor of a ''dearcr loaf" ce
tainly not NOW" They will have no.
OF It, It would SEEM and that peases L
grain,growers of the United States w
enough But the question is, will n
Canada and Australia now be less sat
fed with the empire than ever?
Joe Chamberlain is described as an a
sressiye and somewhat bull-headed ms
AZ well as We can make out. ha eXpe