The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-10-17
TO OPPOSE CHAMBERLAIN.
DEVONSHIRE LEADS THE FREE
 TRADE LEAGUE.
Former Member of the Cabinet Now at
 Head of Movement 10 Defeat the New Iy Proposed Fiscal Poliey--League Ac-
 cepts All the Conditions of the Duke.


 cspts All the conditions of the Duke.
 London, Oct. 16.-The Duke of Devon shire, late lord president of the council, has conditionally accepted the presi- dency of the Free Food league, which is organizing campaign against the fis- cal policy of MT. Chamberlain and MT. Balfour.
 This important move in the fiscal con- test developed tonight at the meeting of the parliamentary committee of the league, which is organizing a campaign against the fiscal policy of MT. Cham berlain and Mir. Balfour.
 This important move in the fiscal con- test developed tonight at the meeting of the parliamentary committee of the league, when a letter from the Duke of Devonshire to Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Mr. Ritchie,s predecessor as chancellor of the exchequer, accepting the prof fered presidency of the league upon certain conditions, was read The com- mittee passed a resolution unanimously adopting the conditions and this action was communicated immediately to the Duke oi Devonshire.
 The substance of the dukes letter fol- lows:
 ''Devonshire House, Oct. IS. Dear Beach:
 You informed me when we last met that the wish had been expressed that join the league and take a leading | part in it's operations understand that the principal object of the league is to oppose the new departure in the l fiscal policy, which now has been defi- nitely announced and which includes the taxation of food imports from for eign countries and preferential treat ment for the colonies, as well as gen. eral tariff on imported manufactured l goods. understand that these objects l do not involve opposition to the policy of the government insofar as that policy lis limited to reserving to the govern ment the right of proposing to parlia- ment tariff legislation for the purpose of negotiating commercial treaties and the mitigation of hostile tariffs l Continuing the Duke of Devonshire referred to the desirability of restrain I ing "the strongly protectionist tendenr I cies manifested at the recent confer
 ence at Sheffield,' and says the duty I of combating before the country the
 doctrines of the tariff reform league
 should not be left entirely to radicals and members of the Cobden club. tl The duke says he cannot reject the .I invitation of the Free Food league to
 become it's president although he must
 accept that office conditionally. T un- sI derstand the body am asked to join. he continues, although bearing the
 name of the league is substantially g l parliamentary committee. I anticipate
 that you will seek to broaden it's con.
 stitution with the object of extending its I operations. If this is done and I am in, Sited to accept the presidency I mus
 ask to be consulted as to the nature O
 such extension so that may have the N opportunity of determining how far
 feel myself in unison with the new con stitution. I also ask that it be madt
 clear that the views I have above ex pressed as to it's attitude towards tn, II SUVefiliHtllI are Iuily SHdTeu Uy LH' { league. It must also be understood that such services as could render cal only be limited in character. Tt is seventeen years since I tool an active part in the campaign agains home rule. It is not in my power t take the same active part now that took then. It is with some reluctanc ]. that consent to even this limited par ill the present controversy, but I fee that many unionist members of parlia ment whose ideas believe agree wit : mine, are making great sacrifices in or der to maintain their opinions and am unwilling that they should regar g me as indifferent to their political in . terests.
 @ Sincerely yours, TNa,,. 1.I,s..