Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-11
Four Hundred and Twsnty-FOur Members
Vote for Repeal
BRITAlEs COMMERCE STILL PARAMOUNT
Exports Equal Those of America, Germany
and France Combined.
sALFoUR SAVES COLONIAL SECRETARY
Premier's NoncOmmittaI speech over
comes Crisis and Enables d.
vided Government 20 Con-
tanue In Power.

ONLY TWENrY-tleHT SUPPORT CHAPLIN

Vote Down Grain Tax.
The House Of Commons last night rejected
Henry Chaplin's amendment 10 the DuuseS |
bill declaring m favor OF continuance
Of the grain duties by 4A to u
LONDON. June l0-By a dextrous and
extraordinary speech. Premier Baltour TO-
night temporarily smoothed over the an
hcuities in his cabinet, relieved MI Chann-
berlain of any necessity of resigning and
for the moment averted a crisis. MI BAL
four accomplished this without commit
ting the government either to protection OF
free trade. though the effect of his sPeecn
will generally be taken to mean that the
tariff issue is to be shelved for the present /
Henry Chaplin's amendment, which gave
rise to the most interesting debate in the
present Parliament, was defeated by the |
majority of s96 votes, composed OF union |
lists, liberals and Irish members The mi |
nority, who supported Mr.. Chapln's amend |
ment were almost all followers of the
government, while many others of the con-
servative party abstained from voting
Chamberlain wildly Cheered.
II was 1880 tonight, when Premier Bal
four sprang to his feet to reply to the
taunts OF the opposition and appeals from
his own party, but he had scarcely begun
to deal with Mr. Chaplin's amendment be-
fore he was interrupted with a hurricane
of applause at the entry of Mr.. Chamber
lain, who had been absent throughout the
evening The house was now packed with
peers, members OF the house and specta-
tors, as It has not been since the days of
home rule.
In a whimsical vein Mr.. Balfour ex-
plained that the only reason the corn tax
was put on was because the government
wanted money and the only reason 1t was
taken on was because the government
wanted money no longer. Reverting to the
charges Of vacillation made against him,
he declared that he himself. though be-
hever in free trade. did not regard 1t as
fetish and he had absolutely an open mind
regarding the necessity for alterations in
a system which was founded to suit con-
ditions Of fifty years ago. He refused not
only to make a statement Of any hnality
upon such an important question, but he
also refused to compel his colleagues to
conform to an opinion which he himself
hesitated to promulgate
Admits Cabinet Divisions.
He admitted that differences OF opinion
existed within the cabinet. but these were
not serious enough to cause the resignation
of any member
Mr.. Balfour made an Impassioned plea,
enforced by the precedents of friction in
Mr.. Gladstone's ministries, for allowing the
premier to retain an open mind on a ques-
ton SO diflcult and so superior to all party
issues, At the same time he did not be-
lieve the country would ever return TO the
old protective system and no tax on food
was ever imposed without the full assent
OF the working classes.
- They were confronted, however, by three
4 great phenomena-huge tarin walls against
the United Kingdom. the growth of trusts
and the desire OF the colonies for closer
fiscal union with the mother country. These
factors could not be ignored. He main
tained that the method OF starting a pub
lie discussion was the only way to deal
with these phenomena, though he did not
commit himself TO Mr.. Chamberlain's more
advanced program. 1t would be folly and
rashness TO interfere with the great sys-
TEN which had been in operation for so
many years without the most careful ex-
animation and without due regard for his
tory and the traditions of the past, though
at the same time they could not ignore
those new problems which the ever chang
ing race of industrial life presented for
decision and the action of statesmen.
BaIfoar Brings Cheers.
This noncommital speech and appeal,
made with all the eloauence and magnet
ism which Mr.. BalfouT wields so success
fully for an open mind in the cabinet
Throughout Mr.. Chamberlain sat beside the
leader OF the house. beaming with satisfac-
ton.
Sir Henry Campbell- Zimmerman. the lib
eral leader, briefly replied, appealing for
an opportunity for the public TO more fully
discuss the issue raised He said one mem.
Der Of the government was prepared tc
make revolution in the country'S fisca
system. a question on which the next gen
ha aaa
peal elected no response on the part of tn,
government. Then the members of tn.
house trooped into the lobby to vot,
against Henry Chapiin's amendment, tn,
general comment being. "Balfour has saved
Chamberlain"
The colonial secretary, himself jubilant
said, our friend. the enemy. is nonplusset
this time"
With the exception OF some irreooncil
able malcontents the unionist party 4
greatly relieved by the outcome OF the de
bate. all the members expressing gladnes.
that the crisis has passed, at the same tim
believing that the same cabinet could no
long continue 10 embrace such opposites q,
the isoal policy OF Great Britain as Colonia
Secretary Chamberlain and Chancellor o
the Exehequer Ritchie
General Interest Whetted.
That the interest In the politica
situation was enhanced by the a.,
matte developments yesterday wa
fully evidenced today by the remark
able animation and alertness OF eyerytod,
In and about the House Of Commons whel
the time approached for the resumption o
the debate on the amendment Of Henr,
Chaplin, conservative, 10 the budget bill
The answers 10 the questions, not re
ferring 20 the great problems OF the day
u passed almost unnoticed. so keen was tn
anxiety to get 20 the ali-absorhing topic
The debate was resumed by Major Seeley
conservative, who as a convinced ire
trader, rejoieed in the repeal OF the graf
tax
Sir Charles Dixie. advanced radical. con
lIcOaunusa Oa ssOOAa Psssl