Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-11
Premier Balfour Temporarily
Adjusts the Serious Differ
ences of Unionist Party
.BALFouR SAVED CHAMBERLAIN
This Was the General Comment Made
at the Close of Premier's Notable Ad-
dress in, Which He Made Plea for
Privilege of Retaining an Open Mind
Upon Question of Free Trade.

! London, June 1.-THE necessity of
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain resign
ing has been averted 70. the time. By
Il mastery speech made by Premier
Balfour last night the differences of the
unionist party were temporarily
Strengthened. and the crisis in the cabi-
| net turned aside.
| This effect was accomplished by Mr..
! Balfour without committing. the gov
eminent TO free trade or protection. and
! I; is generally understood to mean that
the tariff issue has been shelved for
the present. Henry Cfapiin's amend
ment to the budget bill which sup
ported Mr.. Chamberlain policy, was
defeated last night in the house of COM
mons by the Overwhelming majority OF
1916 votes. composed of uaionists. liber-
ais and Irish members.
1t was 10: 80 o'clock lest night when
Premier Baifour sprang to his feet TO
reply to the taunts of :he 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 begun 10 Zeal with Mr..
Chaplip's amendment before he was in
terrupted with hurricane of applause
and ironical cheers at the entry of Mr..
Chamberlain. who had been absent
hitherto turnout the evening. Tie
colonial secretary dropped into his ac-
customed place.
The house was packed with peers,
members of the house and spectators as
it has not been since the days of home
rule. and they listened IN tense expec-
IL ton.
In a whimsical vein Mr.. Ralfour ex-
planned that the only reason that the
corn tax was put on WAS because the
government wanted money and the on
ly reason it was taken OFF was because
the government wanted money no long
en- Reverting to the charges of vacilla-
ton made against him. the premier took
on tone of unusual vehemence. He
declared that he himself tho believer
in free trade (Which statement met with
loud applause), did not regard 1t as
fetish, and he had absolutely an open
mind regarding the necessity for any
alterations in system which was
founded to suit conditions of fifty years
ago. He refused not only to make a
statement of any finality upon such an
important question, but he also refused
to compel his colleagues 20 conform to
Il standard of opinion upon which he
himself had an open mini. He admitted
Tiffnrnnnae nj ny;f1 viSf.1
within the cabinet. but these were not
of any member ,,,,
Mr.. Balfour made an impassionate
plea, enforced by the precedents of
friction in Mr.. Gladstone's ministries,
for allowing the premie. to retain an
open mind upon question so difficult
and so superior to all party issues. The
speaker did not believe that the coun-
try would ever return to the old pro-
tectiVe system, and no tax on food was
ever imposed without the full assent of
the working classes. They were con-
fronted. however. continued the prem
ier., by three great phenomena: Huge
tariff walls, against the United King
dom. the growth of the trusts and the
desire of the colonies for a closer fiscal
union with thetmother country. These
factors could not be ignored. He main
tanned that the method of starting
public discussion was the only way to
deal with these phenomena, tho he did
rot commit himself to Mr.. Chamber
lain's more advanced program.
1t would be folly and rashness, he
said. to interfere with the great system
which had been in operation for so
many years without the most careful
examination and without due regard for
history and the traditions of the past.
while, at the same time. they could not
ignore those new problems which the
face of industrial life
for decision and the action of
statesmen.
This nom committal speech and an
peal, made with all the eloquence AMI
which Mr.. Balfour Yields so
for an open mind not only |
in the cabinet but in the unionists' par
ty, brought constant sdlvo of cheers. |
Turnout, Mr.. Chamberlain sat beside
the leader of the house, beaming with |
Sir Henry Campbell- Zimmerman. the
liberal leader, briefly replied, appealing
for an opportunity for the house to
more fully discuss the issue raised. He
said one member of the government.
was prepared to make 4 revolution in
the country's fiscal system. question
upon which the next general elections
should be decided This appeal elected
no response on the part IF the govern
ment. The members of the house
trooped into the lobby 20 vote against
Henry chaplin's amendment. the gen
eral comment being "Balfour has saved
Chamberlain
The colonial secretary, himself iubi-
liant said: Our friend, the enemy is
this time"
With the exception of some irrecon-
cilable malcontents the @nonist party
Il, greatly relieved by the outcome of
the debate all the members expressing
gladness that the crisis was passed, at
the same time believing that the same
cabinet could not long continue to en-
brace such opposites on the fiscal poll
icy of Great Britain as Colonial Secre-
tary Chamberlain and Chancellor OF the
Exchequer Richie.
TPAnE IN PORTO RICO