The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-09-18
BRITISH CABINET BROKEN
CHAMBERLIIE, RITCHIE AND
 HAMILTON RESIGN
Colonial seeIetary's Reasons for auit- ling Given in Letter to Premier Bal- four-The Latier,s ProtectIonist Ideas Not Far Enough Advanced-WnI
 Work for Fiscal Reform Outside unscrupulous Use of "Dear Loaf" Cry.

Not Far EnouSh Ausaheeu-"hi
 Work for Fiscal Reform Outside-
 Unscrnpulous Use of "Denr Loaf" Cry.
 Lcndcn. Sept. 17.-The official an- nouncement of the resignations of Joseph Chamberlain and two other members of the cabinet was made late tonight at Downing street in the fol- lowing communications: s5s,
 'aThe following ministers have ten dered their resignations which have been accepted by the king:
 Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, sec retary for the colonies; Right Hon. c. T. Ritchie, chancellor of the exchequer, and Lord George Hamilton, secretary for India. The accompanying corre- spondence passed between the pre- mier, Right Hon, A. J. Balfour and MT. Chamberlain" - ss .s .$1
 Then follows MT. Chamberlain's letter dated Birmingham, September g. com mencing My Dear Balfour," in which he sets forth his reasons for his resig- nation. An extremely interesting feat ure of the letter is the following state- ment concerning preferential tariff:
 For the present at any rate prefer ential agreement with our colonies in- volving any new duty, however small, on articles of food hitherto untaxed, even if accompanied by reduction of taxation on other articles of food equal ly universal in their consumptio would be unacceptable to the majority of the constituencies. However much we may regret the decision, however mistaken we may think it, no good government in a democratic country can ignore it. I feel, therefore, as an immediate prac- tical policy the question of preference to the colonies cannot be pressed with any hope of success at the present time, although there is a very strong feeling in favor of the other branch of fiscal re- form which would give fuller discre- tion to the government in negotiating with foreign countries for freer ex- change of commodities and which would enable our representatives to retaliate if no concession was made 10 our de- mands.
 If, as believe, you share this view it seems to me that you will be abso- lltely justified in adopting them as the policy of your government, although it will necessarily involve some changes in its, constitution. As secretary of the colonies during the last eight years, I have been in special sense the repre- sentative of the policy of closer union which firmly believe to be equally necessary in the interests of the colonies and ourselves believe it is possible to-day, and may be impossible to-mor- row to make arrangements for such a union. I have had unexampled oppor- tunities of watching events and appre- ciating the feelings of our kinsmen be- yord the seas. stand, therefore. in a different position to any of my col leagues, and I think think that should just ly be blamed if remained in office and thus formally accept the exclusion from my political programme of so important a part thereof.
 T think that with absolute loyalty to your governent and with no fear of embarrassing it in any way I can best promote the cause I have at heart from the outside, and cannot but hope that III ad spGTICClly pUSlliOl Llly arguments may be received with less prejudice than would attach to those of party leader. Accordingly I would suggest that you limit the present poli- cy of the government to an assertion of our freedom in the case of all commer- cial relations with foreign countries and that you should agree to my rendering my resignation of my present office to his majesty and deyoting myself to the work of explaining and popularizing these principles of imperial union which experience has convinced me are essen- tial to our future welfare and prosperi- ty. Yours very sincerely,
 Joseph Chamberlain .''
 The first portion of this letter refers to MT. Chamberlain's first speech on the subject at Birmingham and MT. Balfour's reply to the corn tax deputa- tion MT. Chamberlain says that neith- CT of them was intended to provoke a purely party controversy. He points out the unyielding opposition of the liberal party which secuted the idea that a system generally accepted in 1S46 could possibly require modification in 1903 Meanwhile the advocates of the recon sideration were at a great disadvantage owing to the admitted differences of opinion inside the party. The political organization of the party was paraly- Eed.'
 MT. Chamberlain declares that an un- Bcrupulous use has been made of the old cry of "The dear loaf" and that ser ious prejudice has been created. Ill the rest of the letter he goes briefly over the same ground regarding protection as did MT. Balfour in his recent state ment. csr.
 MT. Balfour, in letter to MT. Cham berlain dated September 16, explains that he did not reply earlier because he knew he would soon have an opportu- nity of talking over the important is- sues with which the letter deals. There fore, this reply rather enlbodies the re- suits of our conversations than adds anything new to them. MT. Balfour continues: fa~ .,
 Agreeing as I do with you that the time has come when a change should be made in the fiscal canons by which we bound ourselves in our commercial dealings with other governments, it seems paradoxical indeed that you should leave the cabinet at the same time that others of my colleagues are leaving 1t who disagree on the very point with us both. Yet I cannot but admit that there is some force in your arguments in support of that course, T,a CnI S nrn cy ial