Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-29
REVOLUTION IN ITS POLICY
Chamberlain Leads England Into
New Paths and seeks Tariff
War with Germany.

LONDON, May 2s.-Mr. Chamberlain has
again proved himself the strong man of
the cabinet In a debate, which may prove
the most momentous of the present Par
lament, he has in frank and bold speech
further developed the policy which will
be universally regarded as an entire re-
versal of Great Britain's fiscal position ana
at the same time he proved that he has
managed to carry the government with
him against their convictions.
The impression left on the minds II the
| crowded chamber was that the country Is
on the eve of a dissolution and that as in
| 1900 Mr.. Chamberlain carried the country
with him on the South African war policy
as he has now converted his colleagues to
the belief that he will be able to carry 4
! again on the policy of preferential trade
within the empire.
In addition to asking for a mandate to
tax food, he asks for power to engage
| in tariff war with Germany on Canada's
account and to fight the American trusts.
| 1t is safe to say that no such sudden
revolution has been experienced in the
political situation for very many years,
nor anything so sensational.
The debate practically ended with Mr..
J Chamberlain's speech and the house
emptied into the lobbies. What little en-
/ tlluSldSll was ulspldgtQ WAS Ou lne llD-
| eral side of the house. The conservatives
| listened to the speech in chilling silence,
indicative of alarm and uncertainty
as to the outcome of the unexpected
publication. Nearly a hundred con-
servative members Immediately in
] timated to the government whip
and to Mr.. Chamberlain their intention to
take the opinion of their constituents on
the new policy during the whitsuntide re-
| cess.
At present Great Britain was the only
free trading country in the world. II the
| prevailing tendency continued the time
must come when the only neutral markets
where she could dispose of her exports
would be her own protectorates, her own
crown colonies and India. leaving this
country helpless in the hands of other ma
tions.
With respect to the tarf' negotiations,
continued the premier, If foreign countries
were to be allowed to treat the British
colonies foreign nations Great Britain
would be forced by patriotic interests and
regard for her colonies TO retaliate. Canada,
Australia, India and New Zealand were
parts of the empire, and 1t was absurd
that they should be treated as separate
| aggregations because they had been given
self-government.
The premier added that If preference were
given to imports from the colonies they
would in exchange mitigate the severity
of their hostile tariffs against the mother
land.
Mr. Balfour concluded with saying he
did not think it would be wise to tax raw
materials and he did not know whether a
tax on food would be accepted or that
the colonies would accept the proposed
! rfe
ditional objection of the working classes
to a food tax, and he was aware of the
objection the colonies have to abandoning
Il protection. II these could not be overcome
the plan collapsed. 1t was not true thai
the idea was started by Mr.. Chamberlain
as policy OF his own and without consul
tation with his colleagues.
After a question put by David LloyC
George, Welsh nationalist, in reply t
whom Mr.. Balfour intimated that the gov
ernment did not propose to deal with tn,
question before the dissolution of Parlia
ment, Mr.. Chamberlain expressed surpris
at the fact that his speech at Birmingham
; May Is, had aroused such attention.
was, the colonial secretary said, absolutel.
> the same in this instance. as the speeche
delivered by Lord Salisbury and Mr. Bal
four There was absolutely no difference
of opinion between himself and Mr. Bal
four.
All the critics of his suggestions ha,
fallen into error in supposing that an alb
solute reversal of Great Britain's hsca
4 policy was involved. Nothing OF the kim
, had been proposed. Everything depende
on the definition of free trade" and {
; Cobden's definition. to bring about a fre
interchange of commodities at their natura
prices" was accepted, then neither he no
! any member of the government sought t
depart therefrom.
{ I'VE should not enter on a war of tariffs
. but would say to Germany, am afrai
a II You cannot meet us in this matter
n may be compelled to put a duty on that