Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-04

a marvellous knowledge OF the petty local
affairs of the West Indies. With the enor-
nous strain of the South African war on
his shoulders he had yet found time to
study the latest developments of their in
tricate parochial politics.
Lord Onsiow could not conceal his adj
miration.
"'Pon my word. Chamberlain" he said.
You seem to know everything about
every colony there is. How do you man
age IT."
| ut is simple enough. Onslow." was the
/ quiet reply. Il only know what one In
| my position ought to know. One works.
that's all. Don't you ever read dis
patches?
Presently Lord Onslow was moved to
emulation, and began to make sugges-
lions on his own account. We We're talk
ing about a new subsidized steamship ser
vice. and he urged that the vessels should
| be sent to a certain town in jamaica.
TT fss an excellent idea, my dear On
slow" said Mr.. Chamberlain, with a satiri-
cal smile. The only objection is that
the steamers would have to sail overland
to get there"
His lordship collapsed and said no moro
throughout the interview.
What Chamberlain Said Of America.
told Mr.. Chamberlain that the British
colonies in the West Indies were falling
! more and more every year under the COM
mercial sway Of the United States, alike
as regarded imports and exports
There's nothing the matter with that"
he replied. 1--WE are not jealous. On the
contrary we ought to feel grateful to
America for revtving the fallen fortunes
Of those distressed colonies. We are glad
to offer America a fair field in pos
sessions, and more than glad to welcome
her entrance into the field of colonial en-
terprfse, as 1 remarked in q recent
ticle. There is plenty of room for all Of
us in the immense task of civilizing the
tropics, but ] fear America will find the
q har 1pr fhan
dreamed Of. In dealing with people like
those In the Philippines she will have to
modify the principles of government ma
terfally. I see no hope for tropical civili-
cation except in benevolent firm, practi-
cally despotic government. Self-govern-
ment is a hopeless proposition"
After some further talk Mr.. Chamber
lain asked why the best men In the West
Indian colonies took no part in politics.
Because they are exposed to vulgar
abuse If they do replied. Mud Is flung
at them by the bucketful."
He smiled bitterly. IF we thought OF
that would any of us be In politics? have
had mud flung at me from the days when
l first went into local politics in Birming-
ham. man must simply do his work,
disregard the abuse. and never trouble to
reply to the lies told about him. That Is
the only way to get anything done. I add
mire the public men in America in this
matter. Probably nowhere else Is a poll
hcian more abused; nowhere else are his
motives so freely misinterpreted and his
character so bitterly assailed. But Ameri-
cas- public men do not stop work on that
account. They disregard the gnats who
buzz around them
The Second Glimpse.
A few evenings later I met Mr. Chamber
lain again under markedly different cir.
cumstances. I went down to a Stepney
slum to take part in entertainment
given to the Submerged tenth" Coming
away in company with an East End par
son. 1 saw a man go into tenement
house.
claimed in establishment.
Certainly" said the parson. HE often
comes here: He is most charitable He
helps lots Of people around here. He SUM-
ports family in that house. The man
broke his leg, and they might starve but
for Mr.. Cham berlain."
Chamberlain" l calculated. Chamber
lain. the man of iron! The man without
bowels of compassion! The Mephistopheles
Of politics! Is it possible? What would the
radical papers say if they only knew?'
piled the preacher. He likes to do his
good deeds under the rose. He puts on
that cold, passionless unsympathetic mask
which the world knows so well; but at
heart he Is the most benevolent and
Christian of men. In Birmingham and
London he personally relieves an immense
amount of distress. Let US go in and SEQ
him.
We entered the house and found Mr.
Chamberlain in a small room upstairs,
where the sick man was lying on a small
pallet. The statesman talking cheer
fully to the wife, telling her that her hus-
band would soon be well again. He had
brought food and money for her, and a
bottle of wine and some cigars for the
sufferer He asked after the children, by
name. made himself thoroughly at home
and displayed keen interest in the wo-
mans talk about her household troubles.
Why He Hides His Charities
When he saw us he greeted us warmly
and asked me not to write anything about
meeting him there. I refused to promise,
saying that it ought to be known.
cit would correct the popular impress
sion of YOU" the parson added.
well. it's my own affair."" said Mn
Chamberlain. 1.-THE public has nothing to
do with it,
This side of Mr.. Chamberlain's character.
which is better known in Birmingham than
in London. goes far to explain his popu-
larity in the great midland city.