The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-02

1t has been long time since so much in
terest has been created in England by any
debate as that aroused by the speeches
in Parliament last Thursday night. In
this country, where the tariff question is
always more or less in politics, proposed
change from protection to free trade or
the reverse is discussed as a natural Incl
dent of party government. but in England,
where all parties for generations past have
stood together in support of free trade.
proposition to adopt protection seems to
the average Englshman almost like an at
tack on the British constitution. Mr..
Chamberlain's speech was not made with
out much elaboration and a distinct pur-
pose, and ii shows him to be a bold politi-
cal leader. He is too shrewd politician
and too closesa student of public opinion
not TO know that the governments do
unpopular and is a heavy load to carry.
The mismanagement of the South African
war; the increased taxation growing out
OF it, the educational bill and the Irish
land bill have all aroused more or less
popular hostility. The foolish alliance with
growing out of it was another cause of
unpopularity. Things have reached a
point where Mr.. Chamberlain sees that an
appeal to the country cannot be much
longer delayed. and that the present min
istry and his party will almost certainly
he left Cd
issue on which to appeal to the people.
The issue which he hopes will make the
people overlook the blunders in domestic
legislation is that of imperialism-of draw
ing the colonies closer to the mother coun-
try and welding the empire more firmly
together by a new fiscal policy. AS a cor
respondent puts 1t MIR. Chamberlain
wishes this issue to be an imperial as dis
tinct from a national one, and hopes by
eloquent speeches, in which the greatness
of the British empire is constantly insisted
upon, to fire the Imagination of the voters
by the vision of the great empire as their
imagination was infamed during the re-
cent war by patriotic feeling and ambi-
tion." His speech was bid for the sup
port Of the colonies as we'll as an appeal
to the imperial sentiment of the British
people, yet. strange to say, some of the
colonies do not take kindly to it. Canada
does. but Australia does not The Toronto
Globe. in an editorial which it is under
stood reflects the sentiment of the Cana
dian premier, says: I'VE, of course, favor
preferential tariff within the empire;
but. as always, we would rather await the
expressed readiness of the people of Great
Britain to bring 1t about than insist that
ii be established" The Montreal Star con-
graduates it's readers that "a representa-
| tive tariff is now to become a live issue
in British politics." while the leader of the
| opposition In the Canadian Parliament
man." On the other hand, nearly all the
| leading papers of Australia oppose the
| plan. Australia wants a tariff system OF
her own. The Melbourne Age says: Aus
| tralia might at a future time be prepared
TO offer England reciprocity on some pro-
| even for the all-important claims Of i'm
perial unity, consent to policy that might
endanger her industrial position" The
| South Australian Register thinks Mr.
| Chamberlain lis dealing in chimeras," and
says preferential trade, with the added
obligation of a special colonial contribution
| to imperial defense, would work out badly
| for the producer, whose outlets would be
restricted, while British manufacturers
| would enjoy monopoly IN the colonies y
| But public opinion in Australia is divided
| and the sentiment in favor of the new plar
| seems to be almost as strong as that Oh.
posed. On the whole it is evident thai
Mr.. Chamberlain has precipitated an issue
which is destined to play large part ir
the next elections and perhaps figure in
British politics for years to come.