The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-18
Colonial Secretary PrecIpi-
fdfeS a CzISiS, Chancellor
RIfcbie and Lord George
Hamilton Joining Him.
FREE TRADE NOW CERTAIN
TO BE THE POINT AT ISSUE
"PaH Mall Gazette" GiueS
CoedH TO kISR Ledde1 for
Bringing Present Confu-
sion Upon Government.

LONDON. Sept. 1S-The designations
OF Colonial Secretary Chamberlain
Chancellor of the Exchequer Ritchfe, and
Lord George Hamilton. secretary for In
dia. from the cabinet, form the chief
topic OF comment in the morning and af-
ternoon papers. The provincial papers
comments show that they are badly con-
fused over the designations. Surprise
is the predominant note
The resignation of the chancellor Was
not unexpected. but the withdrawal OF
Chamberlain came as a complete sur
prise. 1t now seems hardly probable
that the government will be able to hold
on until after the first part part OF oc-
tober. when Premier Balfour's long
promised speech on the tariff question
will be given. Even should dissolution
be averted temporarily. it is hardly
probable that the government free
traders will tolerate the retention of
Austen Chamberlain in the cabinet.
where he could act as his fathers OBJ
server OF what occurred
The Probable Changes.
II new looks as though the temporary
arrangement in the ministerial family
would be the appointment Of Austen
Chamberlain TO succeed Ritehie; the
placing Of w St John Brodricl,. at
present secretary for war in the Office
OF secretary for India; either Arnold
Foster or the Earl OF Percy in charge
of the war office. and Lord Miner. as
colonial secretary.
The crisis finds the Conservatives
camp more badly split than that of The
Liberals, who seem 10 be constantly
gaiaing strength. where the former are
constantly losing It, The Conservative
ranks are now divided into three camps
the free trade. the advocates of e
taliation. and those in favor OF Cham
beriain's preferential tariff. The free
trade section includes three former
chsncellors of the exchequer. Hicks
Beach. Ritchie. and Goschen. In addition
TO these are included a number II
younger lighters such as Wins on
Churchill and Lord Hugh Cecil The
preferential elan have no man really in
the forefront OF public life except
Chamberlain.
The Liberals, on the other hand. are
united in favor of free trade. their only
drawback being that they have no con
spiCuOus leader
Interest in Next Elections.
There is the new element OF labor can
dicates. who are not attached to either
party. 10 be taken into consideration.
but IL is generally believed that this
element viii not be much OF a factor in
tht next election. Free trade will be
the point at issue. and II is probable
that IL will make the next cleo
tion the most interesting one since
-8e5 Already most of the con-
ststuencies have their candidates ready,
and the pre-campaign work is progress
sns rapidly
The bye elections which will occur in
the next month or 50. will probably
show to q large degree the general trend
OF the public mind and the result of
these viii have a pronounced effect in
DECIDING whether or not the present
cabinet will stand or be dissolved.
What the Papers Say.
The pail Mall Gazette" commenting
on ChamberIain's withdrawal. says the
scene is all TO the credit OF John Red
(Coutinued on Third Page.)