The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-06-15

ferences in the cabinet, relieved Colonial
| Secretary Chamberlain Of any necessity
of res1gnlng and for the moment averted
a crisis which threatened the unionist
party. This Mr.. Balfour accomplished
| without committing the government eth
er to protection or free trade, though the
| erect OF his speech will generally be
taken to mean that the tariff issue is to
be shelved for the present.
Henry Chaplin's amendment, which
gave rise to the most interesting debate
OF the present parliament, was defeated
| by the overwhelming majority of 396
| votes, composed of unionists liberals ana
| irish members. The minority who sup
| ported MT ChaplinS amendment were al
most all followers of the government.
| while many others of the conservative
! party abstained from voting.
Balfour's Dextrous Speech.
1t was half-past 10 o'clock tonight when
Premier Balfour sprang to his feet to
reply to the taunts Of the opposition and
| appeals from his own party.
| For two days the house of commons
has rung with echoes of dissensions with
| In the cabinet and dissatisfaction with
| out. The premier was loudly cheered.
| He had scarcely commenced to deal with
Mr.. Chaplin's amendment before he was
Interrupted by hurricane of applause
and tronical cheers at the entry OF MI
| Chamberlain, who had been absent NTH
ertO throughout the evening. Inc COLO
NAL secretary dropped into his accuston-
| ed place. The house was now packed
with peers, members of the house ana
/ spectators as 1t has not been since the
! days of home rule, and they waited ana
| listened in tense expectation.
| In whimsical vein Mr. Baltour eN-
| planned that the only reason the corn
| tax was put on was because the govern
| ment wanted money, and the only reason
it was taken OF was because the govern
ment wanted money 40 longer
Believes in Free Trade.
Reverting to the charges of vaccination
made against him, the premier took on q
tone OF unusual vehemence. He declared
that ne himself, though believer in
free trade (Which statement met with
| loud applause did not regard 1t as a
! fetish, and he had absolutely an open
mind regarding the necessity for any al
terations in a system which was found
| to suit conditions Of fifty years ago. lie
refused not only to make Il statement
of any hnality upon such an important
question, but he also refused to compel
| his colleagues 20 conform to a standard
of opinion upon which he himself had an
open mind. lie admitted that differences
OF opinion existed within the cabinet. but
I these were not serious enough TO cause
! the resignation OF any member.
AIR. BaIfour made an impassoned plea,
! enforced by the preCcdculS OF friction III
! Mr.. Gladstoncs ministries, for allowing
| the premier 10 retain an open mind upon
| a question 50 difficult and 50 superior "a
/ all party issues Tie speaker did not
| believe that the country would ever -
turn to the Old protective system, and
! no tax on food was ever imposed without
! the fun assent Of the working classes.
| They were confronted, however, contln
ued the premier by three great phe-
| nomena: Huge tariff walls against the
/ United Kingdom; the growth OF the
| trusts, and the desire OF the colonies Tor
! closer fiscal union with the mother coun-
! try. These factors could not be ignored
Brought Salve of Cheers.
The noncompttal speech and appeal
! made with all the eloQuence and mag
| netism which Mr. BalGour yields so sue
cessfully tor an open mind not only in
the cabinet but in the unionist party
! brought a salro of cheers. Throughout
/ Mr.. Chamberlain sat beside the leader Of
/ the house bcaming with satisfaction
Sir Henry Campbell Iannerman, the lib
! eral leader, briefly replied, anxious for
an opportunities for the house to more
I fully discuss Lne issue raised, The menu
/ bers Of the mousse trooped into the lobby
! to vote against Henry Chaplin'5 amend
/ mAnt She general comment beng, Bal-
! fa4r has saved Cham )srlttjl.
me colonial secretary, himself lubi-
our friend. the enemy, is nonpussed
That the interest in the political stua-
1 ton has been enhanced by the Qralhal!
{ developments Yesterday was fuzzy cyl
/ nv -