The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-17
THEY HEAR CHAMBERLAIN
Two Immense Audiences Listen
His Fiscal Policy.

Leeds, Dec 16-Joseph Chamberlain ad-
dressed two immense audiences here to-
night making the last speeches of his
fiscal campaign for the present year.
From the moment of Mr.. Chamberlain
arrival in Leeds the enthusiasm was ire
mendous. and many demonstrations were
made in the streets. The appearance of
Mr.. Chamberlain on the platform, accom-
panied by Mrs. Chamberlain and num-
Der of the North country gentry and mem
bers of the house of commons. was the
signal for an ovation which continued for
many minutes.
The first speech was made in the coli
scum, and was listened to by 5000 per-
SONS, and a similar number attended the
overflow meeting held afterward in the
Town hall. which was altogether made
quate to accommodate the great crowd.
The feature of Mr.. Chamberlain
speech at the Coliseum was his announce
ment of the fact that ne has been en-
gagged in getting together a committee
to make inquiries among the various
branches of trade at home and abroad,
the work of which committee he expected.
he said will consist of about thirty bust
ness men of the highest standing who
VIII begin their work in the near future.
The rest CT MIR. Chamberlain's speech
was largely repetition of his former ar
gunents. lie said he had been blamed
for saying that preferential trade with
the colonies would not mean an addition
to the cast of living. In answer to this
Mr.. Chamberlain quoted letter from
Charles Booth. of the firm of Alfred Booth
& Co, Liverpool. in which Mr. Booth
said that he did not think Mr. Cham
herlain's policy would add 10 the cost of
living, but that even if they did, that
fact would not. in Mr.. Booths opinion.
detract from the merits of the said pro-
posals. which, if carried out with reason
able prudence, would undoubtedly con-
duce to the national and imperial pros
perity. Z
Mr.. Chamberlain said the country was
now at the parting of the ways. and pos
terity would never forgive the govern
ment if it lost the slightest chance of Sc
curing what was actually needed by the
nation. 1t was not question of party
politics. he said. and while it was not
free trade, it was near to it. Mr.. Cham
Neiidbi spuAe ssdIcdSIcaiy or the free
fooders, who. he said had gone to the bot
tom of an inclined plane with the home
rulers and the Little Englanders. and
ne wished them joy in their company.
Referring to elections in Lewisham and
Dulwich, Mr.. Chamberlain said that even
the Duke of Devonshire's encyelical did
not possess pontifical authority He said
that even former Chancellor of TIL. Ex-
chequer Richie was not entitled to more
authority than was TO be derived from
the fact that he had for few months
been under the influence of the perrna
nent officials of the treasury. Referring
to the alleged difficulty of convincing the !
colonies. Mr.. Chamberlain said:
Send me as ambassador To the colo-
MES with full powers. I am perfectly /
willing to risk my reputation on heirp- /
able not merely to satisfy the colonies.
but also to secure from them equal meas /
ures in return
This challenge was greeted with ring 4
ing cheers and cries of we VIM
In conclusion Mr. Chamberlain said n, 4
advocated the splendid isolation, OF the /
mother country. and her colonial children
as family standing together through
good and through Ill. This might be a
dream. said Dir. chamberlain but thev
had the power 10 make ii a realif,