New-York tribune., 1903-05-29

s-ecial to The Nev-york Tribune by French Cabe)
Copyright. 1903 The Tribune AssOciation)
London. May 2S.-The House of Commons ad-
fourned after a most important debate this
evening II was sho-t and incisive. but the ef-
fects OF the speeches of the Prime Minister and
N- Chamberlain We're felt TO be far reaching.
sir Charles Dixie. in demanding explanations
Of the policy Of the government respecting the
revision Of the fiscal system. businessike
and direct. He was forcible without being need
lessIr argumentative in condennng the taxa
fion Of raw material and food products. and
closed with formidable home thrust in
declaration that Mr.. Chamberlain had proposed
p policy which had not been thoroughly thought
out
Mr. Baifour evidently spoke after careful
preparation. choosing his phrases deliberately
and plainly indicating. except at a single point.
that he had been in close consultation with Mr-
Chamberlain. This point of divergence was one
of the utmost Importance. The Prime Minister
declared that il 7ud not he wise to impose
taxes on food in any circumstances. Mr.. Cham
herlain subsequently asserted that raw mate
-ials ought not 10 he taxed. and consequently
that duties would have 10 he levied on imported
food This divergence Of views was an en-
rhatic proof Of Sir Charles Dilke's contention
that the ministers had not thoroughly digested
Mr.. Chamherlain's proposals. The Prime Minis
Ter. however. defended Mr.. Chamberlain's con
duct in raising the question of preferential
tariffs as a necessary consequence of the recent
conference Of Colonial Preniers. He discussed
the altered conditions of British free trade and
the colonial policy in the spirit Of the Birming-
ham speech. and denied that there was any con
1radiction between his own views and those Of
his colleague.
Nr. FaIfour closed with a most significant
reference to the triumphant economic progress
lying before the United States, and declared
with strong emphasis that il was idle TO expect
the British Empire TO rival it if il were doomed
10 remain q series Of separate and independent
economic units.
The J-nionists cheered the speech with feel
ing Of profound relief. since the Prime Minister
had condemned the taxation Of food and had
denied that any changes in the fiscal system
were under contemplation at this session. Mr,
Chamberlain speedily convinced them that he
was terribly in earnest and beat upon making
is al revision the issue at the next general cleo
ton. Il was common comment in the galleries,
an7 subsequently at the political clubs that he
had burned his bridges behind him. His voice
rang out with its oldtime fervor when he de
clared that the unity and defence Of the empire
could not ne brought about without reconsid-
Grafton Of the fiscal system with reference 10
preferential trade and 10 assaults upon the colo
:
ada He made it clear that he intended to press
-he subject with all the vigor and influence he
possessed and s.so that he could not be forced
70 disclose his precise plan Of tariff revision until
there had been a general election and direct
mandate had been received
Nj Chamberlain's speech was delivered with
great earnestness, and was greeted with ap-
ylause by a section Of the governments sup
porters but the approval was by no means
universal There was general comment that,
while he had dragged Mr. Balfour we'll along
with him, the Cabinet was divided on the sub
sect. and the party dismayed by the pros
peCt of a wide breach in the ranks. The situa-
ton was compared in the evening to that Of
the Liberal party when Mr. Gladstone was con-
verted to Home Rule and sought TO carry all
his followers with him without providing the
details Of definite scheme of Legislative au-
tonomy for ireland. Mr Chamberlain, like Mr.
Gladstone insists upon having q general man
cate from the electorate. and the policy which he
favors unites the Liberal opposition and divides
his own party Mr. Chamberlain, again, like
Mr. Gladstone. is statesman Of unique per
Eonality and influence, and is convinced that
the new policy is imperahvely required for the
best interests OF the empire ! y. r.