Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-20
Comment in Metropolis on
Policy Of Chamberlain.
PRESIDENT LOUBET
COMING VISIT OF CHIEF EXECU-
TIVE OF FRANCE.
Laughs at Expense of Pompous Poet
Observation-Disclosures Confusion of
Plays-Tales of Autographs.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
LONDON, June 10, 1903.
1t Is many years since parliament after
few days holiday. reassembled amid such
confusion of speculations, rumors and
contentious as that which made the Hobbies
hum of excitement when the sessioa was
resumed yesterday.
But the holiday space has not made any
thing clearer since parliament broke up to
think over Its perplexity, for though In
some directions the issue has been simpli-
fled by the discussions in the press and
the few speeches delivered by politicians.
there has been a good deal of unreality in
all that has been written and said, because
no one knows what the precise issue Is
now or Is to come. 1t is even possible that
MI. Chamberlain himself does not know,
and that the nature of my proposals.
will largely depend upon the lessons he has
drawn from the reception which his gener-
al proposition has received. But although
the reception has been mixed, the note OF
dissent has been undoubtedly the loudest
and even some voices that may be said to
have cried in its favor have shown their
support rather by declairning against the
dissentients than by proclaiming positive
support.
Secretive Tactics.
have indeed put severe strain upon the
ingenuity Of his supporters, for they do
not at present know exactly what they
may be called upon to support, and are
very apprehensve of how many they may
have to keep them in company. and on this
account the ministerial papers have been
excellent reading during the past fortnight.
With the exception of the 'St. James Ga
zette." the Globe" and the Daily Tele-
graph" no leading ministerial paper has
really committed itself to Mr.. Chamber
lafn'S plan as at present understood, and
the Times and Pail Mall Gazette" par
ticularly have shown considerable skill in
denouncing those who have opposed that
plan whilst saying surprisingly little In
support.
This method has one excellent advan-
tage until 1t becomes too obvious. for 1t
enables those who adopt it to speak self
righteously of their own breadth of view
and lack of prejudice whilst carrying the
implication that all those who have made
up their minds on the matter have only
rushed to a precarious conclusion. guided
or blinded by party prejudice.
Strong Opposition
The fortnight's discussion has not reveal
ed any unexpected accession to Mr.. Cham
berlains ranks while disaffection in and
detection from the conservative side become
more pronounced
Sir Michael Hicks Beach's attack yester-
day in the house on the new policy is the
strongest opposition which Mr.. Chamber
lain has yet met with from his own side
and the chancellor of the exchequer has
many conservative followers in the question
which bids fair to split the party.
Even the chief conservative whips had to
say that very good case would have to be
| made out before the country changed for
something else a fiscal system that had
so good a record as free trade has to show
in England.
Even those who combine free trade con-
victions with readiness to listen to Mr.
Chamberlain ask whether he could expect
free trade to play his game by all shout
ing in chorus. I'VE have no prejudices and
are anxious to be converted
Mr.. Chamberlain once vainly tried TO
make the Transvaal parrot say "Suzerain.
He can hardly expect the British free
trade parrot to suddenly Shrek with rap
ture the foreign word "Zoliverein" so
that the question is bound to fall into
party discussion, for the simple reason that
parties are ready made on this subject, and
every day that passes before Mr.. Chamber
lain states 1.-The nature of my proposals
will see a gradual readjustment of the
present political group into two, free
traders and those otherwise.
But Mr.. Chamberlain will hope to recover
good deal of lost ground when he pro-
cures his plan. for it will be as bold as the
man himself, and will have in it just that
daring winch macs SpeC1OuSIleSS anu SclS
men arguing about axioms as though they
were debatable questions suddenly put in
newer light.
Attitude of Golden Club.
One might as we'll doubt truth to be liar
as doubt the attitude of the Golden Club
toward Mr.. Chamberlain's fiscal policy. 1t
is interesting therefore to notice the large
number of unionist members who figure
as members of the club
Even cabinet ministers are not unrepre-
sented the Duke of Devonshire and Lord
Landsdowne. to mention only two names
being both supporters OF the CLUB. some OF
these are presumably supporters OF the
| colonial secretary's new program and II
will be interesting to see what action, II
, any, the Golden Club takes with regard to
them.
guineas still be accepted toward defraying
the cost of distributing leaflets against
preferential tariffs?
Visit of Loubet
President Loubet's return visit to King
Edward is now definitely fixed for the three
days beginning with Monday, July 9. He
is assured of a welcome to London as cor
dial as that which the king received in
Paris. His arrival will be greeted by the
thunders of a mighty fleet at Spithead and
his brief stay in the capital will be one
ton.
The program for the entertainment Of the
president has still to be drawn up, but he
will certainly be the guest of the city cor
poration at one important function at least,
and l understand that L Entente Cordiale,
an influential association for the promotion
of goodfellowship and intercourse between
the two nations, intends to claim part of his
time and to make full use of 1t.
President Loubet Is total stranger to
London. He was even comparatively I'M
known to the great bulk of his own compa
triots before his election to the presidency.
His personality, however. has become
familiar to the people Of this country
through recent events, and 1t is a personal
ity that must create a favorable impression
here.
It is reported that the king said of him.
m. Loubet does not surround himself with
the pomp of sovereign; he has the air of
being a Citizen" and it is as much in the
character of a good French citizen as in
that of head of the great republic that he
will be enthusiastically acclaimed in the
streets and palaces Of London.
Will Stop at st. James Palace.
The apartments in st. James Palace.
which since the removal of the Prince of
Wales to Marlborough house have lost the
DISTINGUISHING designation of York house,