Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-17
TO FIGHT CHAMBERLAIN.
Duke Of pevonshire Accepts Free Food
League Leadership.

onshirc. late lord president Of the coun-
Gil, has ConditiOnaily accepted the pres
ldency Of TING Free Feed League, which
IS or%,tc!ZiHS Il campaign against the
fiscal policy OF Mr.. Chamberlain and
Mr. Halfour. This Important move in
the fiscal contest developed, tonight, at
the meeting Of the parliamentary COM
mittee of The league W zen Il letter from
the Duke Of DeVonshire to Sir Michael
Hicks Beach, MI. Ritchie's predecessor
as chancellor of the eXcj,equer. accept
ing the prollered presidency OF the
league upon certain conditions. was
read. The committee passed d resolu-
ton unanimously adopting the conti-
lions and this action was Immediately
communicated to the Duke OF Devon
shire. Tie substance OF the dukes let
ter follows:
"DevOnshre House, oct. 13.
Dear Beach:
You Informed re when we last met
that Tie wish had been expressed that
join The league and take leading
part in its operations. / understand
that the principal object of the league
is to oppose the new departure in the
fiscal policy which now has been def
nitely announced and which includes
the taxation of food imports from for
cign countries and preferential treat
Elent for the colonies. as we'll as q gem
eral tariff on imported manufactured
goods. | understand that these objects
do not involve opposition to the policy
of the government in SO far as that
policy is limited to reservinS to the
government the right Of proposing to
Parliament tariff legislation for the
purpose Of negotiating commercial
treaties and the mitigating Of hostile
tariffs
Continuing. the Duke of Devonshire
referred to the desifa blity of restrain
ing the strongly protectionist tenden-
cies manifested at the recent conference
at Sheffield" and says the duty of COM
batting before the country the doctrines
OF the Tariff Reform League should not
be left entirely to Radicals and men,
bers of the Golden Club.
The duke says he cannot reject the
Invitation of the Free Food League to
become its president, although he must
accept that Office conditionally.
II understand the body / am asked to
join" he continues, although bearing the
name OF the league is substantially par
liamentarY committee. [ anticipate that
YOU viii seek to broaden its constitution
with the object Of extending its opera
lions. If this is done and | am invited to
accept the presidency. ! must ask to he
consulted as to the nature Of Sucn extern
sion so that | may have the opportunity
OF determining how far | feel myself in
unison with The new constitutions. | also
ask that it be made clear that the views
| have above expressed as to its attitude
towards the government are fully shared
by the league. 1t must also be understood
that such services as | could render can
only I've limited in character.
1T is II years since took an active
part in the campaign against home rule.
it is not in my power 10 take the same
active part now that ] took then. II is;
with some reluctance that i consent to
ta;e even this limited part in the present
controversy. but feel that many Union
list members of Parliament whose ideas
great sacrifices in order to maintain their
opinions. and | am unWlnlng tnat thev
should regard me as Indifferent to their
political interests.
Sincerely yours,
"Devonshire.
Mr.. Richie. the late lord chancellor Of
tho excheGrcr, ana Lord George Hamil-
ton. late secretary for India. have also
joined the league.
Lord Goschen, who was chancellor of
the exchequer in Lord Salisburys second
2dniniStra ton, delivered q strong speech
! in London. tonight, against the taxation
of food.
The speaker said there was nd guaran-
tee that the colonies would be satisfied
with the small tax proposed They might
demand an increased ta& then would tho
friction and the renewed cry that the en-
pire was endangered to Justify tho con-
cession of the increased demand
With regard to the prospect OF w0ikmen
being better pair under the proposed plan,
Lord Goschen pointed out that wages ir
Germany were 20 per cent. lower than
/ in Great Britain, while IL was preposler.
Gus to suppose that the small tax OF two
shilings on wheat would appreciahly ben
eft the acricul,uIe OF Great Britain