The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-06-11
TARIFF PROPOSALS.
Ghamberlain's Scheme Is At
tackled In Parliament.
10 CHANGE IN FREE TRADE POLICY.
ehnn - dor of Excheaucr Rcpudintes
Trade schcme-Jnionistst Vie with
Liberals In wanting nm Out
and Out Free Trade.

LONDON, June 10.-All the men,
bers of the government who contrib
uted to the debate on the colonial sec
retarys tariff proposals vigorously de-
Ciared themselves as free traders and
rankly opposed Mr. Chamberlains
proposals. Except for Mr.. Chaplin,
OF voice on either side of the house
'as raised in effective support of Mr.
jhamberlain's campaign.
Former members of cabinets and pri-
vatc members, irrespective of party,
protested against any dickering with
Great Britain's fiscal policy. The I'm
icnists We'd with the Liberals in de-
caring themselves out and out free
traders.
All that was lacking in the complete
rout of the protectionist cabinet min
lister was Mr. Balfour's official pro-
nouncement as premier and on behalf
of the government that the cabinet as
whole refused to adopt Mr.. Chamber
lain's views. Both the pronouncement
and the premier were absent from the
debate because, according to report,
Mr.. Balfour was spending the evening
endeavoring TO persuade the colonial
secretary to remain in the cabinet not
withstanding his differences with his
colleagues.
The debate was adjourned amid n
sensation. Chancellor of the EXchcq-
uer Btchie said he hoped Mr.. Balfour
would be able to give the house today
n definite statement on behalf of the
entire cabinet, though he could not
promise it
Upon the resumption Of the debate
Mr. Chaplin's amendment TO the budget
bill. which is the cause of this sensa
tional political crisis, will be taken up.
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman will
demand the right of the Liberals to
know the premier's attitude toward
free trade before they support him in
the repeal of the corn tax. Mr.. Bal
four will reply, and Mr.. Chamberlain is
also expected to speak. There are
many members who believe that Pre-
nlier Balfour will also resign and that
q dissolution of the house is involved,
The crisis will be arrived at by Mr..
Chamberlain's resignation or by an
open declaration that he is willing to
drop Cor the present his preferential
tariff proposals.
Mr.. Chaplin's amendment was scarce
II made before it became a secondary
consideration. Its defeat was assured.
The fight, If such an undefended strug-
lie could he so described, ragged around
NIr. Chamberlain. "Oil and vitrior' Is
he only adequate description of Sir
Michael Hicks -Beach's speech, which
started the revolt. Amid intense ST.
lence this famous Tory ex-minister ex-
tolled the colonial secretary's virtues
and damned his programme. BLACK
Michael" as he is Familiarity called,
was never seen to better advantage.
The ministers sat with troubled faces,
Mr.. Balfour looking especially defect,
ed. Mr.. Chamberlain, deserting his
usual place, paler even than usual.
stretched himself nonchalently at the
end of the treasury bench. Through
sut the afternoon he never exchanged
a word with his colleagues. After Mr..
Ritchie had renounced the colonial sec
retary's ideas Mr.. Chamberlain stalked
out of the chamber without even nod
10 Mr.. Balfour.