The Somerset reporter., 1903-09-24
Break in British Cabinet.

The official announcement OF the
resignation 0f Joseph Chamberlain aud
two other members OF the cabinet WAS
made Friday night at Downing g rect 10
the following communication The
following ministers have rendered their
designations, which have been accepted
by the king Right Hon. joseph Cham
berlain, secretary for the colonies !;
Right Hon. G. T. Richie, chancellor of
the exchequer, and Lord George HamiI-
ton, secretary for India"
Mr.. Chamberlain In a letter to Mr..
Balfour sets forth the reasons OF hls
resignation. Among other things he
says:
"For the present, at any rate, a pre-
ferential agreement with our colonies.
involving any new duty, however small,
on articles of food hitherto untaxed,
even IL accompanied by a reduction Of
taxation on other articles OF food equal
| ly universal In their consumption, would
be unacceptable to the majority of the
constituencies. However much we may
regret the decision, however mistaken
we may think 1t, no good Government In
/
feel, therefore, that as an immediate
! practical policy the question of prefer
enee to the colonies cannot be pressed
with any hope OF success at the present
| time, although there is very strong
feeling In favor of the other branch of
| fiscal reform, which would give fuller
discretion to the Government In negoti-
ations with foreign countries for freer
| pXpbanUa 0f commodities al
would enable our representative to re-
tallate If no concession was made to our
Just demands. Ii, as believe, you share
this view, 1t seems to me that YOU will
be absolutely justified in adopting it as
the policy of your Government, although
1t will necessarily involve some changes
in its constitution"
The designations of Mr.. Richie, chan
cellor OF the exchequer, and Lord George
| Hamilton, secretary for India. need oc-
casoD no surprise. That of Mr.. Richie
had long been expected, while it WAS
generally assumed that Lord George
Hamilton's sympathy with M. Richie
would lead to his accompanying him.
| They leave the cabinet for reason
Numerically opposite TO that actuating
Mr.. Chamberlain. They are both Ut
|
departure from the free-trade policy.
Mr.. Richie showed his colors very
| plainly last winter when he let the corn
'regstraton duty" which had been
imposed during the stress of the South
African War, drop out of the budget.
Thus we have the singular spectacle of
one member OF the cabinet resigning
because the premier does not 90 far
| l.
too far.
Lord Balfour of Bureigh, secretary
for Scotland, and Arthur Ralph Douglass
Elliott, financial secretary to the treas
ury, have resigned and their designations
have been accepted by the king. Mr.
Elliott was not in the cabinet. These
two designations make a total of four
vacant cabiret posts and one secretary.
ship at Mr.. Balfour's disposition. With
the resignation of Lord Balfour and
Financial Secretary Elliott, both strong
free traders, it Is understood that the
ministerial designations are completed
and apparently the duke of Devonshire
has decided to remain in the cabinet.
Regarding the eventual result of the
upheaval the Spectators forecast, that
Mr.. Balfour when he appeals to the
country will be beaten and succeeded by
Rosehery cabinet, which will not last
long, attracts the greatest attention.
A curious phase of the situation is the
severe criticism regardless of party lines,
bestowed on Mr.. Bslfour's action 10 pub
fishing his views and selling them Ia
pamphlet form. The premier's keen
sense of chivalry and honor is far toe
deeply appreciated by all parties to ever
permit the suggestion that he purposely
adopted the doubtful practice. BY Mr.
Balfour's own admission, he is "mere
child IN such matters" and his inexpe-
rience in business affairs now appears to
have put him at the mercy of the pub-
fishers of the pamphlet, who are coming
money overs the vital issue In national
| aft irs.