The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-11
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain
May Not Be Compelled to
Leave British Cabinet.
PREMIER PROMISES NOTHING.
Leaves the Impression That Tariff
Question Is to Be Shelved for
the Personalities an
Impassioned Plea.

London. June 1o.-By a dexterous and ex
traordinary speech Premier Balfour tonight
temporarily smoothed over the difference in
the Cabinet. relieved Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain of any necessity OF resigning
and for the moment averted a crisis which
threatened the Unionist party.
This Mr.. Balfour accomplished without
committing the Government either to pro-
lection or free trade. though the effect 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 3sS votes, com
posed Of Unionists, Liberals and Irish mem
bers. The minority who supported Mr..
Chaplin's amendment were ALMOST all fol-
lowers of the Government, while many
others OF the Conservative party abstained
It was half past 10 o'clock when Premier
Balfour sprang TO his feet to reply to the
taunts Of the opposition and applause from
cheered.
HURRICANE OF CHEERS.
He had scarcely begun to deal with Mr.
Chapin's amendment before he was inter
rupted with hurricane OF applause and
ironical cheers at the entry of Mr. Chamber
lain, who had been absent hitherto through
The Colonial Secretary dropped into his
accustomed place. The House was now
packed with people members of the House
and spectators, as II has rot been since the
days OF home rule debates.
IN whimsical vein Mr.. palfou- explained
that the only reason that the corn tax was
put on was because the Govarnnen. wanted
money, and the only reason it was taken Of,
was because the Government wanted money
no longer.
ReveFting to. the charges of vaclllatioa
tone OF unusual veheMsnce.
He said he, himself. though a believer in
free trade (Which statement met with loud
appiause) did not regard It as fetish. and
he had absolutely an open mind regardin:;
the necessity for any alterations in a sys-
ten which was founded to suit conditions
OF fifty years ago.
He refused not only to make a statemen,
OF any fna!ity upon such an important
question, but he also refused to compel ms
mind. AaH Gil 0feii
He admitted that differences Of opinion ex%
isltn WITHIN the Cabinet. but these were not
any ms Inber.
CITES PRECEDESTs.
Mr.. Ba!four made an impass.oned plea.
enforced by the precedents of friction In Mr.
Gladstones ministries for allowing ths
t t,os 20 retain an open mind upon ques-
tlon SO difficult and SO superior to all party
issues The speaker said he did not believe
mat the country would ever return to the
U ., protectl.e system, and no tax on food
was ever imposed without the full ASSEM- OF
the working classes ~
We are confronted. however," continued
Huge tariff walls against the United Kim
dof; the growth OF the trusts and The de-
sire OF the Colonies for closer financial union
with the mother country
These factors cannot be ignored. I
maintain that the method of starting a pub-
nc discussion is the only way TO deal with
these phenomena
1T would be folly and rashness 10 inter
iere with a great system which had been
IN operation for 50 many years without .he
most careful examination and without dine
regard for history and the traditions ~ w.
past, while at the same time we cannot
ignore those new problems which the ever
changing face of Industrial present for do
cis!on and the action of Statesmen N