The Indianapolis journal., 1903-09-18
sURMIsEs AND COMMENT.
Speculation N to Other designations
What the Press says.

LONDON, Sept. 1s.-The retirement of
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain. which was
announced yesterday afternoon, was un-
known and unsuspected i'm London until the
oficial announcement was issued late at
night, too late for the evening papers. Ii
will become known TO the general public
only from this mornings papers. There
had been much exchanging OF political visits
early in the day. but Premier Balfour
and his brother Gerald left for their home
at Whittingham early i'm the afternoon 1T
was thought that nothing would happen for
a day or two. Late in the evening how
ever, the Kings acceptance of the resigna-
tions Of Mr.. Chamberlain. of Mr.. Ritchie and
of Lord George Hamilton arrived from Bal
moral. enabling the premier's secretary to
make the Official announcement.
1t is understood that the designations of
some other members of the Cabinet are
imminent, and that Lord Balfour, of Bur-
leigh. secretary for Scotland. has actually
resigned. although the fact has not yet
been formally given out. Lord Lansdowne.
foreign secretary. left London last night for
Bslmornl. whittier Premier Balfour and his
brother are also expected TO proceed i'm
mcdiately.
ner in which the crisis was projected was
almost as great surprise as in Liberal
quarters. Curiosity centers on the attitude
OF 4 : Duke of Devonshire. whose resigna-
tion has been fully expected. 1t was sup
posed by some that he would take the pres
ent opportunity of retiring from politics on
the ground OF his advanced years
As 10 the reconstruction OF the Cabinet no
great interest is.excited, although the polit-
Austen Chamberlain as chancellor of the
exchequer. the Earl OF Selbourne as secre-
tary for the colonies. because 1t Is recog-
nized as impossible that an appeal to the
country can be much longer DELAYED and
The general opinion Is that in the present
shattered condition of the Unionist party
the Liberals will be returned to power
The editorials In the government organs
this mocnlng practically recognize the GER
tainty of the Liberals coming into power.
while admitting that Mr.. Chamberlain has
gained brilliant triumph by winning Mr.
Bslfour over to his opinion. Mr. Balfour'
letter in this sense Is admitted 10 be vastly
more important than his recent pamphlet.
because IN IL he unhesitatingly admits
the principle of Mr.. Chamberlain's project.
only contending that the country is not vet
ripe for IT. II Is clear. however. that he re-
CARDS retaliation as a stepping stone TO n
preferential tariff and the taxation of food
That the Cnlonist party as q whole does not
agree with this view Is equally self-evident.
The Conservative papers. while coneratu-
lating Mr.. Chamberlain on his courage and
devotion 10 his principles. regret his action
because it Is their belief that the country
viii never consent to the taxation of food.
The Standard declares that the raising of
the preferential issue was perfectly gratuit-
GUS. There WIS never the Smallest evidence
that either the mother country or the coll
Cnies was pressing for IL. ITO throw This
apple OF discord into the arena of marty
politics" continues the STANDARD was one
OF the most unfortunate errors eyer com
Inittei in the history OF parties Ii Is all
the more regrettable that the statesman
who did so much 10 create and consolidats ts
the Unionist coalition has been the one 70
shake it's foundation -
1t is this element OF doubt regarding the
wisdom Of Mr.. Chamberlain's course IN
spite OF his tremendous personality. which
leads the Cnionists TO count more on ths
weakness Of the Liberal party. dre 70 ;,s
internal divisions than to the strength OF
their own party I'm the coming contest The
Liberals. on the other hand are iuh,Iant
With the dscredit attaching to the coverr
ulent the result OF the report OF the south
African wal commission and the strong free
trade tendency In the country as reyea iaS
by the recent bye elections. they look for.
ward To an appeal to the country with ths
utmost confidence.
The Radical Daily News declares: ..Nr
Chamberlain has met his Waterloo and IN
his heart he knows IL. His campalen Will
be invested with deep personal interest. bu,
Il viii be the campaign of a lost cause
Earl Spencer. Liberal leader in the House
or Lords. in an interview last night al.
niiftej that the news came as a Compiler
surprise tn him. and, though A. was salts
factory from party point of view. II would
mean a STA eleetioneering hsht with such
According To the Daily Telegraph which
II supposed to be closely connected with
Mr.. Chamberlain. the contents Of his letter
20 Mr.. Balfour announcing his intention e
Mondays Cabinet council and much com
0ont u made on the successful manner IL