New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-25
FIGHT FOR FREE FOOD.
DETONSHIRE SPE4KS.
Strong Opposition Shozcn TO Nr.
Cbamberlain's PoIscg.

London. Noc. as-1he Duke Of Devoashire presided
sns WAS ibe principal speaker at a great meeting
II Queens Hsa here tonight under the auspices
=. IRE Free Food League. l. the dukes first
r,.blc speech since his resignation Lord Presi-
sert q The Council and the FIRST really important
nesting q the Free Food party Offset to the
active propaganda OF the Tariff Reform League.
The hall was packed. and the prominent persons
r,-cgeut we're loudly spplsaded. Among them were
.be Duchess OF Devonshire. Lord Balfogr q Bur
,.lrh Charles T Richie Sir Michael Beach.
- Cyoschen. Winston Spencer Churchill. Lord
Fzurh Cecil Lord Robert Cecil. Lord Lytton and
lumber o. ies6ns members OF the House OF Com
mons
when be speak. he said this the first
messing held by tho Free Food League. and pro
oeeae6 outline The object OF the constitution Of
the organization. which he pointed out was formed
few months before the governments declaration
OF its fiscal policy. and, therefore. could not have
been formed Tor any purpose Of hostility the
government The name OF the league indicated It's
purpose There might be differences OF opinion
cerTing the extent which retaliation might legiti
mately 60 some members Of the league were not
altogether opposed some form OF protection. but
they were al united ans prepared 10 resist 10 the
utmost the imposition OF any protective taxation
food or protective duties generally He himself
claimed The right 10 oppose anything in the nature
% return 10 protection Prolonged cheering FOL
lowed this statement
WOULD WELCOME 4 FISCAL ISSUE.
The duke said that while the fiscal policy was not
yet a party question. there was nothing which the
advocates OF the scheme. which emana1ed from the
brain Of a single eminent statesman. would Ike
better than general election which would turn on
this question alone This reference TO Joseph Cham
oerain was greeted with mingled cheers and Kisses
The speaker sand the meeting was one OF Union
lsts desiring 70 urge the government the danger
O. taking q certain course and the expediency OF
resisting certain course. Il was not the policy
OF the Onio1ist government which before the
country. The public liked clear issue. and such
an issue had been placed before them by NJ.
Chamberlain, who left the government IN order
THAI he might be free Cheers and Kisses also fol-
lowed tbs mention OF Mr.. Chamberlain
The Duke q Devonshire asserted that he be
heved every one present was opposed TO Mr. Cham
berlain's policy. ana urged that the policy OF Tire
government must be more clearly defined At pres
was indefinite
II he made any personal explanations regarding
his resignation. SAID the duke it would be from
his place IA Parliament he had rendered his
resignation because he could not. the represen-
tstive OF the government in the House. Of Lords
EXPRESS unqualified confidence in the policy OF the
Cabinet, concerning which he had grave misgiyings
and insufficient knowledge.
DANGER OF RETALIATION.
Referring to the speeches Of the Premier, NJ
Bal1our. the Duke Of DevOnshire said that they
did not indicate the objective policy OF the gov
e-11nent Had he been assured that moderate
use Of the proposed power OF retaliation would be
OF The government With certain limitations much
might be said OF the policy OF retaliation, and it
was conceivable that the announcement OF an in
tertion retaliate might have the effect OF ex-
tending the Of free trade but he trusted that
Ihe government would never enter policy OF
-ets atioa tnder the deluson that IL Was IN itself
6 good thing Il would only make matters worse
r. IN addition the existing hostile tariffs against
themselves. they built up walls which would pro
hihit and restrict the importation OF goods which
rv-rl al hey ron OF her
nations.
The Duke said he was opposed 10 the taxation or
food because ne thought that such taxation was
the keynote OF the entire policy 20 which he took
exception Should the price Of food be raised some
compensation must De given 10 the workingmaa-
He recognized the great services OF Joseph Cham
berlain but even the great services Of the past
Should not bind anyone 70 a true consideration o.
Sec-etarys fiscal scheme IN his Budget ca1cula-
non. Mr Chamberlain apparently had not con-
sidered the increased Of living for the work
57saa5 ne cGke vas 2rePsT t 10 prove Jhs{
a tremendous loss 70 ire consumer while the
s S2TIs man expenses would De increased 10 per
COUNTRYs PROSPERITY AFFIRMED.
He believed that greater fallacy had ever
been produced than that the prohibition or re
striction Of imports from abroad would increase
the profitable employment q capital and labor
home. The country was prospecting everywhere,
Yet Nr Cham berlaln asserted that only stagns ton
existed The former Lord President Of the Council
said he could take no part in a policy founded
upon diversions Of fact
Abiding 20 M Chauberlain's charge hat he
(the Duke q Devoushireb was "a drag on the
wheels Of progress" the speaker said be was con-
tent 10 scr a. "a drag the engine which was
running down grade against all signals.
LORD Goscaeu moved and LORD George Hamilton
seconded the following resolution, which was
passed by an overwhelming vote
This meeting while prepared 20 consider in q
friendly spirit any measures the government NAY
submit 10 Isr-a r---L a. special rrirf-
eating the effects Of hostile tariffs Is Of The
opinion ttar strenuous opposition should be
10 any 1s-ai policy involving the protective taxa
ton OF food ard The esllhlishrnent Of a general
preferential protective ssreU
The meeting closed with "a unanimous vote OF
ths-ks 10 the Duke Of Dsyoushlre.