The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-18
CABINET IS SPLIT IN TWO Chamberlain Tenders Re- 'Signati0n. HAMILTON AND RITCHIE They Also Give Up Their
 Portfolios.
King Edward Has Accepted the Re- signations-Correspondence of
 Premier Balfour and the
 Colonial Secretary of State.

| London. Sept. 1.-The resignations of Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of Stats Tor the colonies; c. T. Ritchie, Chancellor | or the Exchequer, and Lord George Ham- ilton, Secretary of State for India, were presented this afternoon. They were ac- Icepted by King Edward. Mir. Chamberlain's resignation is almost certain to cause an appeal to the coun- try. Mir. Balfour being thus left with out the support of either the protection- ists or the free traders. Chancellor of the Exchequer Ritchie and his followers are openly opposed to any measure of retaiia- tory traiffs.
 With the exception of few liberal organs which seriously viewed MT. Bal four's repudiation of MT. Chamberlain's . poiicy, there has scarcely been a serious ly considered suggestion that MT. Cham. berlain would retire from office. But the generally accepted opinion that he would retain his portfolio is, shattered. and the news came like a thunderclap not only 70 the supporters of the government. but to all other political sections.
 Party Lines Swept Away.
 By Mir. chamberlains defection practi- ! cally the existing party lines will be swept away and their reconstruction must be largely dependent on Mir. Chamber lain's future attitude. That he will be content to retire from public life can scarcely be considered. It Is believed ha will not ally himself with either side. but will rally to the banner of his pre- ferential progress all the support he can gather frov every quarter. Mr Cham Derlain can rely on the alnost solid Irish vote when he confines himself to fiscal ideas.
 The Associated Press learns definitely that Mir. Chamberlain urged his col- leagues to appeal to the country on the preferential trade issue. He admitted that they would be defeated. but maln- tained that six months of weak liberal government would put the party back in power with an improved standing.
 Lord Rothschild was asked todayeas to the proDabie effect on the Empire, espe- cially in the national finances of Mr. Chamberlain's resignation. He said to representative of the Asso- ciated Press: 'The Duke of Devonshire remains in the cabinet and MT. Baifouf's enunciated policy, which l take to mean no taxes on food or raw material in the near future at any rate seems popular Over million copies of his pamphlet | have been sold or applied for. MT. Chamberlain's resignation Will not affect consols. If the Duke of Devon- | shire had got out and MT. Balfour had | not put his policy before the country it
 
 The retirement of Colonial Secretary Chamberlain. was unknown and unexpect- ed in London until the official announce ment was issued late at night, too late for the evening papers. It will become known to the general public only from the morn ing papers. Exchanging of Visits. There had been much exchanging of po- litical visits early in the day. but as Pre- mier Balfour and his brother, Gerald, left for their home at Whittingham early in the afternoon, it was thought that nothing would happen for a day or two. Late in the evening. however, the Kings accept-s ance of the resignations of Mir. Chamber lain. of Mir. Ritchie and of Lord George Hamilton arrived from Balmoral, enabling the Premier's Secretary to make the offi- cial announcement. It Is understood that the resignations of some other members fthe cabinet are imminent and that Lord Balfour of Bur- leigh, Secretary for Scotland has actually resigned. although the fact has not yet been formally given out. Lord Lans- downe. Foreign Secretary. left London to- night for Balmoral, whither Premier Ball. four and his brother are also expected to proceed immediately.
 In the Conservative clubs tonight the manner in which the crisis was projected
 
 Liberal quarters. Curiosity centers on the attitude of the Duke of Devonshire. whose resignation has been fully expected. It was supposed by some that he would take the present opportunity of retiring frem politics on the ground of his ad- vanced years.
 Chance for Liberals.
 As to the reconstruction of the Cabi- net, no great interest is excited, although the political prophets are already busy appointing Austen Chamberlain as Cham cellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Sel- borne as Secretary for the Colonies, be. cause 1t is recognized as impossible that an appeal to the country can be much longer delayed and the general opinion is that in the present shattered condition of the Unionist parties the Liberals will be returned to power. .
 The editorials in the Government ore gans this morning practically recognizes the certainty of the Liberals coming into power, while admitting that MT. Cham berlain has gained a brilliant triumph by winning MT. Balfour over to his opin- ion.
 The Conservative papers, while congrat- ulating MT. Chamberlain on his courage and devotion to his principles. regret his action because 1t Is their belief that the country will never consent to the taxa