The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-11
IS SAVED
Dexterous and Extraordinary Speech
by Premier Balfour Rescues
the Government.

London, June 11.-By a dexterous and |
extra ordinary speech, Premier Balfour last [
might temporarily smoothed over the diff |
ferences 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 Balfour accomplished with
out committing the government either to |
protection or free trade, tho the effect of
his speech will generally be taken to mean
that the tariff issue is to be shelved for
the present.
Henry Chaplins amendment. which gave
rise to the most interesting debate Of the
present parliament, was defeated by the
overwhelming majority of 396 votes, COM
posed of unionists liberals and Irish mem
bers. The minority, who supported Chap
Inns amendment, are almost all follow
ers of the government, while many 9TH
ers Of the conservative party abstained
from voting.
1t was 1890 o'clock when Premier Bal
four 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 dis
sensions within the cabinet and dissatis-
faction without
The premier was loudly cheered. He
had scarcely begun to deal with Mr.. Chap
Inns amendment before he was interrupted
with a hurricane Of applause and ironical
cheers at the entry Of Chamberlain, who
had been absent hitherto turnout the eve
ming. The colonial secretary dropped into
his accustomed place.
. In whimsical vein Balfour explained
that the only reason that the corn tax
was put on was because the government
wanted money, and the only reason it was
taken off was because the government
wanted money no longer. He declared
that he himself, tho a believer in free
trade, which statement called out loud
applause, did not regard 1t as g, fetish,
and he had absolutely an open mind re
garding the necessity for alteration
in a system which was founded to suit
conditions of fifty years ago.
/ He refused not only to make state
ment of any f1nality upon such an i'm
portant question, but he also refused to
compel his colleagues to conform to- a
standard Of opinion upon which he himself
i had an open mind. He admitted that DIFF
! ferences of opinion existed within the cab
met, but these were not serious enough TO
cause the resignation Of any member
| Mr.. Balfour made an impassio plea
reinforced by the precedents Of friction In
tGladstone's ministries, for allowing the
Ipremier to retain an open mind upon a
lauestion so difficult and SO superior to all
party issues. The speaker did not believe
the country would ever return to the old
protective system, and no tax on food
was ever imposed without the full assent
of the working classes. They were con-
fronted. however, continued the premier,
! by three great phenomena-huge tariff
walls against the United Kingdom; the
growth Of the trusts and the desire OF
the colonies for closer fiscal union with
the mother country. These factors would
! not be ignored. He maintained that the
method Of starting public discussion was
the only way to deal with these phenome-
ma. tho he did not commit himself to
; St,or ,hor1 tine y,eor al
/ This non comnittal speech, with all the
eloquence. and magnetism which Balfour
Yields so successfully, for an open mind
, not only In the cabinet, but in the union
list party, brought a constant salvo OF
cheers. Chamberlain sat beside the leader
of the house, beaming with satisfaction.
The members of the house trooped into
the lobby to vote against Chaplin's amend
I1nent, the general comment being, Bal
four has saved Chamberlain"
The colonial secretary, himself jubilant
said: "Our friend the enemy is nonplussed
this time. .'.-..' s, ~