Evening journal., 1903-06-11
chamberlain IS
NOT TO RESIGN
Differences in the Cabinet
Smoothed Over and Crisis
Averted
PREMIER BALFOUR SAVES DAY

This Was Accomplished BY Dexterous
Speech Without Committing Govern
ment Either to Protection or Free
Trade.
London. June 1i.-By a dexterous
and extraordinary speech Premier Bal
four temporarily smoothed over the
differences in the cabinet. relieved
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain Of any
necessity Of resignlng, and for the mo
ment averted a crisis which threaten.
ed the Unionist party.
This Mr. Balfour accomplished with.
out committing the government either
10 protection or free trade. though the
effect Of his speech will generally be
taken 20 mean that the tariff issue is
70 be shelyed for the present Henry
Chaplin's amendment. which gave rise
70 the most interesting debate OF the
present parliament. was defeated by
the overwhelming majority Of 39I
votes. composed OF Unionists, Liberals
and Irish members.
II was then that Premier Balfour
sprang TO his feet to reply TO the
taunts OF the opposition and appeals
from his own party.
For two days the house OF commons
has rung with echoes OF discussions
within the cabinet and dissatisfaction
without The premier was loudly
cheered He had scarcely commenced
70 deal with MT Chaplin's amendment
before he was Interrupted by hurri.
cane Of applause and ironical cheers
at the entry OF Mr.. Chamberlain. who
had been absent hitherto throughout
the evening. The colonials' secretary
dropped into his accustomed place
The house was now packed with peers
members Of the house and spectators
as y has not been since the days Of
home rule and they waited and listen
ed IN tersp expectation
In whlu sicai vein Mr. Balfour ex-
rlalred tkat The only reason that the
corn tax was put on was because the
government wanted money and the
only reason q was taken on was be-
, cause tho government wanted money
no longer Revcrilng 20 tho charges Of
vacil.aiion made against him, the pre-
nieT took CO o tone OF unusual yehem-
eaCe He declared that ne himself
though q believer "a free trade (which
statement ret with loud applansel did
1 not regard It es fetish and he had ab-
! solptely an cpon mind regarding the
s necessity for airy alterations ia a sys.
tenn which WIS founded to suit condi-
tions Of 80 years ago. lie refused not
oaiy 10 make o statement Of any final
, ity upon such an important question.
[ but be also refused TO compel his coll
.eagucs 20 corform 10 a standard Of
! oplnloa uron which he, himself. had an
open mind Hendmitted that differences
Of opinion existed within the cabinet.
but these were not serious enougn to
cause the resignation Of any member.
Mr. Dalfour made an impassloned
plea. enforced by the precedents of
I friction In Mr. Glaustones ministries.
for anowlng the premier to retain an
! open mind upon a question so difficult
and SO superior to all party lssnes. The
|
try would ever return TO the old pro-
tective system, and no tax on food was
ever imposed withou the full assent OF
the working classes. They were con-
fronted, however, continued the pre-
mier. by three great phenomena; Huge
tariff walls against the United King
dom: the growth OF the trusts. and the
1 desire Of the colonies for closer fiscal
union with the mother country. These
factors could not be ignored.
, This non-committal speech and ap-
{ peal, made with all the eloquence and
magnetism which Mr.. Balfour wields
{ so successfully, for an open mind not
! only in the cabinet. but in the Unionisl
! party. brought a constant salvo Of
cheers Throughout Mr. Chamberlain
sat beside the leader of fthe house
beaming with satisfaction He said,
I Our friend the enemy, is nonplussed
, this time"
With the exception Of some irrecon-
cilable malcontents the Unionist party
is greatly relieved by the outcome Of
the debate, all the members expressing
gladness that the crisis was passed, al
the same time believing that tue same
. cabinet could not long continue 70 EN-
brace such opposites on the fiscal policy
( Of Great Britain as Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain and Chancellor OF the Ex-
I ohequer Richie.
1t is reported that the Duke ot Dc
s vonshire. at the kings wish, acted as
a mediator and played an important
part in patching up the cabinet crisis
( King Edward regards his coming visit
to Ireland as Of the utmost importance
and the visit could not occur II par
: lament were dissolved