New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-23
THE UNI0NIST COLLAPSE.
Disclosures of Cabinet Secrets and
the Trend of Political Forces.
London, June IL

Westminster. with the Liberal Opposition and
the Nationalists masquerading as supporters of
The free trade budget of more or less protec-
zionist government: with Nj Chaplin declaiu-
Ing Z stately Johnsonese on the old Tory prac-
tee Of taxing imported food: with the reaPpear-
snce Of Black Michael as the champion of econ
orny and free trade; with the Unionists, bewil-
dered and faction rent re-enacting Donnyhrook
Fair, while the Liberals were enjoying Roman
holiday and the Irish members were silent and
1norose: and with the broadest effects of farci-
81 political extravaganza contrasted with the
tragic catastrophe Of helpless Prime Minister
deserted and scorned by his own followers and
with the vicissitudes of fortune OF the Colonial
Minister overwhelmed with reproaches as the
destroyer Of the Unionist party few months
ter his triumphal return from South Africa
There was no lack OF varied entertainment for
cynical spectators in the galleries; but the
UNIQUE feature was q series OF revelations OF
cabinet secrets. There was neither magic Ian
tern nor screen. but the curtains of the Cabinet
council were repeatedly drawn apart, and there
were startling disclosures Of discord among the
Kings ministers
There were no intinations OF royal consent TO
these disclosures. and by all regulations or po-
1frfcal etiouette this ought 70 have been an in
dispensabe requirement A British Cabinet Is
historically a committee Of the Privy Council.
made 10 Of advisers OF the Crown nominated
bv the Prime Minister It's deliberations are
conducted in the closest secrecy. and no records
Of its proceedings are either kept or published
The Prime Minister has no official rank except
that q & P-ivy Councillor and his vote counts
only as one Of twenty-one members OF the Cab
met: and while he has neither constitutional
warrant nor statutory law behind him. prece-
dent makes him the head Of the ministry and
enables him 10 report 10 the sovereign what goes
f~ub n Mr.. GslSGStOleE
words: AS the Cabinet stands between the Sow
e-eign and the Parliament. and IS bound 70 be
loyal 10 both so he stands between his COL
leagues and the sovereign, and is bound to be
loval 70 both The relations OF the ministers
to the sovereign 10 the Prime Minister and TO
one another are confidential; and the oblga-
lions Of reticerce and secrecy are not relaxed
by the retirement Of q minister from office The
rrecedents Of Cabinet government and the pro
Y,rieties OF court etiquette were wantoniy VIC
lated when Sir Michael Hicks-Beach lifted the
curtain in the hurly-burly OF last nights debate
and disclosed the episodes. byplay and cross
purposes Of the council chamber. Sir Henry
Fowler was justified in making severe structures
upon The Improperly OF these revelations MI
Gladstone was q progressive Radical. and was
sometimes lanpooned as q deInagogue; but he
was stickler for points OF etiquette in official
life and would never have allowed disclosures
OF this kind from any Of his colleagues.
ore q these revelations related 10 the cause
Of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's retirement from
the Cabinet year ago. He had protested with
out avaI against the growth Of national ex-
penditu-es and had finally offered his resigna-
riorz on that account 1T is impossible. he re-
marked for the Chancellor OF the ExcheQuer.
whatever his ability. whatever his desire foT
economy. really 10 check the expenditures Of the
country unless he has the active, firm and con-
,truous support Of the Prime Minister" His
explanation Of the resignation was conVertHo IN
this way into an indictment OF his former chlef
and colleagues for persevering in cause q
reckless exrravagance. He furthermore gave a
detailed account % his arguments with his Cab
met colleagues in bringing forward the small
outv on grain and -four a war tax and IN
urging its retention 2 purely fiscal measure
after the declaration Of peace. These disclos-
vres convicted them OF grave Inconsistency in
changing their minds and repeating the duties
Finally he laid bare his own persistent resist
ance TO colonial preferences in trade, which MI.
Chamberlain had taken up policy OF para
mount Importance for the empire He described
the repeal Of the corn duty as direct bar TO
the adoption Of the preferential principle. and
interpreted II as an indication that the collective
opinion OF the government had not changed on
1hls subject since his retirement from the Cab
,-e. re stated that as Chancellor Of the Elk
checuer he had opposed preferential proposals
year after year with the approval OF his ~ol-
leagues and without q whisper Of disagree
7-e-- 4-orn auv Of them" He supplied bill OF
-srrfrr1lars He had opposed colonial pretUr-
e-ce first with regard TO wines although II
vas messed upon him by the Australian col
o-ies. second with regard TO tea third. with
regard 70 sugar: and only last year with re-
gard u corn and -four; and he clinched his ar
Er-ent respecting the hostility Of the govern
--ent 10 the principle by referring 10 the en-
gsgernents OF the Sugar Convention prohibiting
preferences tc sugar growing colonies. ana TO the
repeal OF the grain duties
The in7propriety Of these revelations respect
srg rhe inner life os the Cabinet is shown by ne
Controversies which Immediately raised
The Prime Minister was virtually arraigned as
an opponert Of the policy OF national retrench-
rrerr ~ Al the best as & lukewarm and IN
Trustworthy advocate OF IL The Chancellor OF
ne Fxcheouer and the members OF the Cabinet
we're charged with fragrant Inconsistency III
abandoning the corr tax after being fully com
rrittes 70 Il Finally. Mt. Chamberlain has been
placed IN an eouivocaI position by the dec4ara-
ron OF the former Chancellor OF the Exchequer
mat persistent opposition from the Treasury 70
preferential proposals in favor OF the colonies
met with the unanimous approval Of colleagues
srd that there was not so much as a Whisper
% disbursement from any OF them MI
Chamberlain has been posing for seven or sight
FEARS as e colonial administrator bent upon tah-
ing UP imperial federation the business slde
E-d developirE the neglected estates and latent
resources Of the empire. There has been cuInu-
lative evidence outside the Cabinet IN his public
addresses and acts Of the sincerity Of his pur-
roses and of he wide range OF his activities