New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-08
DIR. CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECH.


The Five Nations" of Mr.. Kipling's fancy
have found fitting voice. 1t has just been
heard at Glasgow In his special cable dis
patch TO The Tribune yesterday l. y. f. de-
scribed Mr. Chamberlain's speech in particu-
larry strong and eulogistic phrases. They were
not too strong nor too eulogistic They could
not easily have been The full text of the
speech is not vet before us. but from the ample
synopsis given in our dispa tches ii is evident
that il was. as Mr. Ford says. an epoch-making
speech, giving its author complete mastery of
his great audience in the home of Adam Smith
and the stronghold Of free trade. and destined
10 echo around the world with vast effect. 1t
was Characteristic Of Mr.. Chamberlain's cour-
age that he chose 10 begin his campaign in the
very citadel OF the foe. 1t was a daring vent
ure but it was abundantly justified by its sue
cess We need not here review the speech in
detail It's cOgent and convincing fiscal argu-
ments have already been forecast in these col
umns The decline OF British manufactured ex-
ports. the increase OF manufactured imports.
the dependence Of the British export trade upon
coal TO keep its figures up. the far greater value
Of intra-imperial than of foreign trade, the help
Iessness of a solitary free trade nation against
protectionist world. have all been set forth
here We have also pointed out what Mr..
.ow-that his fiscal proposals contemplate no
increase but rather a decrease Of the tax unon
food All these things this unrlvalled advocate
and propa gandist presented 10 his hearers with
consummate directness. clarity and convincing
mower His arguments We're and unan-
swerable The only attempt to answer them
will be the raising of the old Cobdenite parrot
cry Great is Diana of the Ephesians!' We
shall see however. if camor is effective against
reason.
Some other features OF the speech deserve at
tenfion Conspicuous among them are Mr..
Chamberlain's fine tribute to Mr.. BalfOur, HIS
inspiriting declaration Of loyalty 10 aud friend
shin for him. and his subtle hut scathing ref
erence to those who have fallen away from
their leader and their party. and TO those who
apparently do not know the meaning Of 10y
atty and friendship" He did not name the
Duke Of Devonshire. but his words unmistak
ably inplied an austere rebuke OF that states
man. which was all the more forcible because
il came from the one man who was the dukes
peer in the organization Of the Liberal-Unionlst
party: and who. because of obvious circum-
stances. far surpassed the duke and all others
as fits leader I'm electoral campaigns. Best of
ALL perhaps was Mr.. Chamberlain's lofty and
impassioned profession OF optimism and of faith
in England IF England 10 itself do rest but
true. While some in weak despair. and some
perhaps with actual complacency. the Brit
ISL Empire now at it's zenith and foresee for IL
hereafter nothing but rremediable decline this
dauntless champion OF imperial greatness still
refuses to "believe IN the setting of the British
star. or 10 believe in the folly of the British
people. lie sees the possibility of bringing
lmperal principles and imperial policy TO the
achievement OF imperial designs To do So will
mean sacrifice. les. But II Will no tho sacri
fee OF nothing hut futile superstition and
ine-- prejudice" and il will mean the safe
guarding Of The results Of centuries ~ noble
effort and patriotic endeavor.
In that Mr.. Chamberlain sounds his highest
and clearest note. He has been thought OF as