Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-19
ALL AT SEA.
English Politics in State Of
Utter Decentralization.
No Further designations, Though
More Are Freely Hinted At.
Ex-Scc. Chamberlain Gives Views to
Tariff Reform League.

London, Sept. 19.-The newspapers,
this morning, are crammed with dis
cussions and Speculations regarding
the political situation brought about by
the resignation of Mr.. Chamberlain,
Chancellor of the EXchaquer Richie
and Lord George Hamilton, but no
fresh development has yet been an
nounced. The Marquis of Lansdowne,
regarding whose intentions there is the
greatest interest, has gone to Balmoral
to relieve Lord Balfour of Burleigh us
the minister in attendance on the King.
Both political parties have already
commenced active preparations for the
coming campaign and the opirion is
sought of every man of prominence at
home and in the colonies whose IDEAS
are likely to have influence. Mr.. As
ruith, who is by many regarded as the
future leader of the Liberal party, tel
egraphed. yesterday: THE situation
in all its essentials is unchanged. The
duty of the Liberals to defend free
trade is as plain and urgent as before"
The opinion of the colonies is anX-
iously canvassed as being the most
important factor in the situation. Sir
Edmund Parton, the premier of the
AuStl HSS uctldI-
ed in an interview that he is convinc-
ed that Mr.. Chamberlain will ultimately
triumph and that till that triumph is
achieved there will be no real union of
the empire.
The Standard, today. anticipated
that Mr.. Balfour will have at least
four cabinet secretaries and two or
more understandings at his dis
posal and strongly urges him to make
a clean sweep of the discredited min
listers and appoint men of real ability,
even such men as Lord Cromer and
Lord Miner if the country would gain
thereby. n asfiitF 3
The persistency with which it Is
runorc6l that Austen Chamberlain, the
postmaster general. will succeed Mr..
Ritchie IS chancellor of the Exchequer,
emphasizes the extraordinary nature
of the relations which Mr.. Balfour still
maintains towards his colleagues. The
Lihel II organs point out the fictitious
ness of any supposed change on the
nart of a government which includes
Mr. Chamberlain's son, who has been
almost as active as his father in Or
ganizing the preferential tariff agita-
ton.
Mr.. Ealfour's frank declaration in his
letter accepting the colonial secretary's
resignation. that he shared Mr.. Cham
berlain's ideas of closer fiscal union
with the colonies. also creates doubt
IS to how even moderate free traders
such as the Duke of Devonshire can
remain under Mr.. Balfour's guidance.
Tho criticism of the small effect upon
the government policy caused by Mr..
Chamberlain's withdrawal, and of the
retention of his son, is not confined to
The opposition. The st. James Gazette,
which warmly supports Mr.. Chamber
lain's program, declares that he.result
is that the Unionist party will face the
electors disunited and open to all the
attacks Of the free fooders as it Will be
perfectly apparent to the electors that
the return of Mr.. Balfour involves
sooner or later the return OF Mr.. Cham
berlain and the triumph of his policy.