New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-27
An IMPERIALIST'S FAITH.
1r. ChambeTlain'S Resignation and
Rcsolute Fight for PrinciDle

his coirpa;lon has fallen out and makes his own
way across country. ar. chan berlair's res
ig1ation ie SO unexpected a SEQUEL TO the Prime
Minister'S syllabus OF tariff reform that II Is
described Alright as a paradox. The cor-esront-
enoe between the TWO leaders contains c,1-nv,a-
tive evidence that they are in agreement 81,
every important point. yet they cannot remain
together i- the Cabinet They share the be-ief
that close FISCAL union between the mother conn
fr- anc the colonies Woul5 be GOOD Tor both ard
fat Tie irterdependeuce between the various
fe1tors ~ The empire should faH expression in
commercial As wei in political and military
relations. They are also convinced that the
elesttor ~ preference 10 the colonies cannot be
pressed with any hope of success AT the present
tire and that the policy % the government
should 70 limited 10 the other branch Of fiscal
reform. which wiz arr, g. with resources FOR
negotiating reciprocity treaties and adopting re-
ta-iatorl measures Nr Balfoar has followed
-. Chorohe-lair's advice IN dropping food taves
AID preferential tariffs and n perseyerfag with
tae more popular principle Of the loaded re-
rg'vsr' directed against protectiorist nations:
are - this acton Tie has compelled two free
traders in The Cabinet. Ar Richie and Lord
george Eauiltor. 20 retire from Office. Yet ATr.
Chamberlain hir-sef considers Il necessary 70
abandon THE Prime Nir .ster. although he leaves
rs son Ir The Cabinet as a hostage
Tlc eyI -cuatlos @ his paradox IS simple and
-.--uraL but 81 lies OUTSIDE the range Of prac-
..-1l politics ~. Cnarr be-l1Lr cares more for
rs cause than for RS party E5is cause is in
T--ial fecc-at.ol. ans for eight years he has
been laho-i-E fcr 30. r. season ard cut Of sea
COL. as Secretary for the Colonies Meanwhile
De- has been harp--ed hy Official restraints and
parlyze3 by political obligations When he
proposed zoilvere.a as practical ezpedient
fo- taking Up imperial federation on he bust
ness side, the Duke q Deyorshire threw cold
water upon TIE project When the Bcer var
pro. .csd q eoraa.e opportunity for a revision
G. the fiscal system and The broadening Of the
I-sa oc indirect taEa-on, sir Michael Hicks
Beach offered strenuous resistance 10 any de-
r1-.lre from CobdeulsIr. when the grain reg
.st-ator duties were enacted there was a prac-
tcal tezt of tile eject OF low taxation of lr1-
ported foc- b-t az. Ritcaie U-enatur5,y re-
r-a.-l tleu ard thereby DISTRACTED the de-
ne-oD-e-t q preferential relations with the
colonies. FOR eight years 1r. Chamberlain has
been alternately coa1ing and wrestling with his
hlurle~.-s coI-a cues and attempting 20 draw
theu .rto comprehensive Imperial policies; and
be has been tlwarte1 and harassed hr their ia
competence and ir srtf2. While h- has been
compelled 10 whip thistes IN The Uulollst gar
den. he has been convinced. as he himself SAYS,
that The policy Of closer incorporation is equally
necessary ir the interests q the colonies and Of
she mother country and THAI % Is possible to-
day and may 5e Impossible tomorrow 70 make
H-rar re--e0ts f0- such union" Who can
blame A-r. Chamberlain p he be weary a com
promises Official restraints ard resistance from
colleagues Eas be NOT made sufficient sacri-
tres f0r the government and the Urionist parcy2
Has De nor earned the privilege Of fighting IN
Die own way Tor his cause In an independent
position outside party unes7
E2Ir. Chauberlai1 had acted either az q prac-
tical politician party man ne would have
taken ~efuFe in the halfway house. and have
hal-e5 there urtI there was a convenient sea
son fc~ another advance. lie might reasonably
have -c-er-ed THE t-'f LOAF q Retaliation ans
agreed % vat patiently for the whole loaf OF
Preferential Tariff. lie might have oorscled
himself With rhe reelection that one barre. OF his
birmingham revolver had NOT missed ere, since
g. had brought down Two free trade members q
enc CahI.s- lie had persuaded the Prime N.0-
fsfa- % r-.alze retaliation The authorized Jriorist
programme. and he had compelled Mr.. Richie
end lord Gecrse Hamilton TO retire from tie
Catlfet. a practical politician would have been
tatfrf-a with these achievements. ana q shrevd,
csI-ulati1r party Ieoocr would have avoided
separation from his colleagues ~. Chamber
lain has -0t chosen TO consider either the gov
eminent or the party. but only The cause which
De- has made ris ou1 n be had remained in the
Cabinet nothing more would have been heard q
f0c5 taxes ana preferential tariffs his yes
trratlon emphasizes she Importance OF these
principles II is the act Of a great inperialist,
who sppeals from trsUlar prejudice % the 10y
aIrv and intelligence Of the empire.
AZ IL NJ Chauberlain's enthusiasm FOR i'm
.c-.al decoration that renders him the most In
r.-esslve and Inspiring figure in The empire. He
believes that the salvation of the British En-
r.-c can he worked OUT only fiji his way; anc,
moreover that the tin1e is short. Accordingly he
Is 10. willing &c abandon lis principles fcr the
sake o. political oxpC5iency. lie acknowledges
.r-- the co-nrry is not ready either for food
-rz-s Up Tor preferential tariffs. and thai The
Prime Minister caun0t properly commit TIE
T-rfr-.et PARTY % anything En- advance q re-
-..r--fr-. -ut be declines 90 Re f-rUenced by the
r-cse-. state q public opinion. lie VIII not re-
main slr~. uvt VIII proclaim his faith ln his
r.--.. ~ f-.-e-falis-l. Like Nehemiah. the tenn
-ra r..--r- who vas urges by Sanballat and
Goshen 10 seek lower ground and 10 confer with
-rei- rec-le be answers: II am doing great
.-o-r, SO -r4t cannot come dovr- Why should
Tie ss--H- cease chilst 7 leave q and come down
t- ,are' Questions ~ political eNpeaiercy ana
r.r-v ,-e,-aro do uot concern ham. Bis rela-
-.rrs -rtr dee eeIf-rCyeruinc colonies are
r-.-ae sr.. Re recognizes an ob-lgotion 10 acvo-
c-.e crelt Imperial ilea, even when X IS 10
,t---oa OF -.f .ic tscc-t. and involves national
er-as Al an age when statesmen orIi-
r1r.. are disposed 20 relax their energies and
-r consider +-af~ own comfort and convenience
he undertakes single handed great work Tor
lie rl--i-e ana enters upon an arluoUs cam
...-r s-tth tle enthusiasm q; youth and Win
IL. .-srl,srfor 81 moral earnesrress. Il may be
moor -or.tIes but IL lc an impressive spectacle