The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-05
MONDAY, OCT. 5, 1903.
POLITICS OR MARTYRpoM?

Mr.. Balfour has made his promised
address, opening the great campaign
which is to be undertaken under the
leadership of himself and Mr.. Cham
berlain. In it he partially outlines the
policy on which they appeal TO the
left provokingly vague. In essence,
however, it contemplates the complete
abandonment of the economic princi-
pies that have been paramount in
British thought and British legislation
for the past sixty years.
The ideas of the Cobdenites are re-
jected on the ground that the develop
ment of industry and the change in
international relations since the time
of the great reform have been such as
to require a new national policy. Mr..
Balfour desires, apparently, two things
the right to frame retaliatory tariff
acts against countries which discrim-
mate against Great Britain, and the
right to frame such preferential tar
as will give to the mother country an
advantage in their markets and a SUBJ
Stantial control of their trade.
1t is impossible to tell whether these
gentlemen appear as opponents of a
principle and apostles of new gospel,
for whose sake they are willing to
suffer martyrdom, or whether they are
merely carrying out a shrewd pro-
gramme prepared in cold blood and
agreed upon as the only possible es-
cape from pressing political ext
gency. If it is the former, it is singu-
lar that the secret was so we'll kept,
and that no echoes of its great convic-
ton were heard in the country until
it became politically advantageous to
sound trumpet call. If it is the lat
ter, it is tremendous play for a great
stake that can be won only through an
invited and certain loss.
Mr.. Balfour and Mr.. Chamberlain
both confess frankly that the country
is not yet ready for their policy and
will not accept it. Nevertheless, look
ing at the matter in a far-sighted way,
1T can easily be seen that the very
policy which they have adopted is the
most available for them as public men
and as leaders of great political par
ty 1t has been admitted on all sides
for year past that the Conservatives
would be defeated on the first appeal
to the country. The glamor that hung
about the party while it was engaged
in carrying on a great war had to give
place to the cold, hard light of the dis
agreeable facts that followed the close
of hostilities.
Most staring of all was the fact Of
the tremendously increased taxation
caused by this frightfully expensive
war, and the reconciIement of the peo-
pie to such an addition to their bur-
dens. 1t could not be done. The Con-
servatiYes were bound to face a hos
tile public opinion; and in addition to
that, the war having been ended, there
was no unifying issue on which they
could go to the country or even hold
their party together day by day with
any bonds of enthusiasm.
1t may we'll be that in such circum-
stances men of the remarkable keen
ness of vision and breadth of view
which even their political enemies
would not deny to Chamberlain and
Balfour should have planned for the
far future. They may have said: Here
is new issue. Unpopular at present,
1t will eventully command a large par
ty following. 1t appeals to the strong
sentiment in favor of imperial fedora
ton. 1t appeals. as all war measures
DO, to the pugnacity of the people.