Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-19
LONG CABINET CRISIS
elimination Was an I'm
looked-for Denouement.
LYTTELTON A SURPRISE
BRoDRICK COMES IN FOR MOST
CRITICISM.
Rumor That Sir Thomas Sanderson
May Come Here-London News
and Gossip.
LYTTELTON A SURPRISE
pecIal Correspondence of The Evening Star.

LONDON, October Z. 1903
No cabinet crisis has been so heightened
and produced such a series of dramatic
developments, in which the precedents at
tending cabinet reconstruction have been
set aside, as that which has been in prog
ress during the past three weeks, and
which has eliminated in such an I'M
1ooked-for denouement. The cabinet ap-
pointments have been anticipated for
! fortnight with absorbing interest. Firstly
in the popular view the ministry rock
ing. Then came the speech of Mr.. Bal
four at Sheffield, consolidating the party.
This impaired a buoyancy to the spirits of
his supporters. In London the spirits of
Mr.. Balfour's followers rose high, and the
confidence reposed in him had been re-
stored, even though the Duke of Devon
shires resigna ton had been regarded as
not improbable. 1t is Mr. Balfour's letter
to the duke which has overshadowed all
other affairs, and in the clubs men have
been eXcitedly discussing not so much the
fitness of the ministers for Office as
Mr.. Balfours letter.
At the moment there is only guesswork
at the causes of the dukes resignation. On
Mr.. Balfours showing it seems impossible
that it could be question of fiscal pol
icy, and at the clubs the explanation is
timidly put forward that the resignation,
somehow or other. is connected with the
circumstances surrounding the resigna-
lions of Mr.. Richie and Lord George Ham
ilton.
New Cabinet Meets Public Expectation
AS to the new cabinet appointments, they
accord pretty much with popular expecta-
ton The exception is Mr. Alfred Lyttel-
ton, whose name had been once more asso-
ciated with the vacant embassy at Wash
ingtOn, and more definitely. though further
in the future, with law citizenship of the
crown, or a judgeship. But, like Mr.. As
Quith. the new colonial minister has dis
appointed the view of his friends by taxi
ing up a purely political post and succeed
ing the ableSt statesman in the govern
ment direct from private members benches.
The experiment might be deemed hazard
Gus, but it has encouraging presidents in
the careers of Mr. Chamberlain and Mr..
Asquith. Mr.. Lyttelton may be expected
to succeed in Downing street.
He is Mr.. Chamberlain's man and Mr.
Balfour's man. His ability is undoubted,
and his personality is charming. He knows
the colonies well, especially South Africa.
and the South African situation since the
war. and, though the home office, rather
than the colonial office, would at first seem
his more natural destination, the appoint
ment IS regarded admirable A brilliant
member of a brilliant band of brothers, the
nephew of Mrs. Gladstone the greatest ath-
lete in the house of commons-cricket. ten
ms. Collin touch from childhood with the
cial life, he is the embodiment of what
should be expected in public men. He is
forty-six, and bears a strong personal
semblance to his cousin, Mr.. Herbert Glad
stone.
Other Appointments Anticipated.
The remaining cabinet apo. ntments
were anticipated Mr.. Austen Chamberlain's
elevation to the chancellorship of the ex-
cheQuer may be considered a dizzy post for
young man of forty, but Lord Randolph
Churchill held the same post at thirty-six
Mr.. Gladstone was colonial secretary at
thirty-one, and Pitt was chancellor of the
excheauer at twenty-three, and premier at
tWenty-four, an Office which he refused
year before. Mr.. Austen Chamberlain has
not his fathers genius, but much of his
observation-disclosures, and he needs it if he is to
fill the CHARACTERISTIC under policy of re-
taliation. MIR. ArnoldForsters promotion
will be heralded with delight save by his
trends who see in Pail Mall the grave of
political regulations. He is young, an au-
thority on naval and military affairs and
very clever. If anything he is too clever
Lord Stanley's promotion to the post
master generalship also fits in with popular
approval. He has deserved it, while Mr.
Graham Murray's selection for the secre-
north of the Tweed. Mr.. Graham Murray
gets cabinet rank, but he sacrifices his sal
airy of 5000 a year for one of $1,000 year.
Criticism of Brodrick.
The appointment that comes in for criticism
all sides is that of Mr. Brodrick, who is
transferred from the war office to the India
office. Up to the very last there was a
hope that Mr.. Brodrck would have made
a more or less graceful concession to an
almost unanimous condemnation of his in
efficiency, but Mr.. Balfour evidently has
enough strength in him. if not to lead his
own party, at least to defy public opinion,
and stick TO his friends. The removal of
Mr.. Brodrick from the war office to India
is in itself admission of his unfitness for
the post he has quilted. and, by Implication
a condemnation of the new appointment,
for there is no reason to suppose that the
responsibilities of India and its many prob
lens will find him any better prepared than
did the administrative needs of the war Of
flee. He is a personal friend of the viceroy
and fairly knows his India, and that IS all
that can be said for the appointment.
w hen, some years ago, a movement of
elder sons of peers in the house of COM
mons was started. with the object of secur-
ing the privilege that any elder son called
to succeed his rather might renounce the
lords in favor of the commons Lord CurZon
and Mr.. Brodrick We're at its head. The
movement, however, was abortive, SO that
some day Mr.. Brodrick will meet the fate
he deserves, and become by hereditary
right a member of that house whose ranks
are sweled by those who are sent there,