The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-06
CHAMBERLAIN ALONE ESCAPES
WAR RECORD CONVICTS OTHER
MEMBERS or THE CABINET.
Comniissiea's RepvRt A6ds - VnlOnlst
Party's Danger o. Disruption--Co Colonial
S-cretary's Positisn Strengthened
--DiscuSstea % HIS Tariff Plan.
.sreetal Gable Despatch to THE SUN.

Special Gable Despatch to THE SUN.
LONDON, Sept. 5,-Ths meeting Of the
Cabinet which was TO have been held to-
dav was put over, and the postponement
of all speech or action that can definitely
commit them will be the policy Of the great
majority Of the Unionst party until the
very last moment, Meanwhile every nerve
has been strained to save the Unionist
party from the disruption which Colonial
Secretary Chamberlain's policy. II per-
sisted in. must bring about. That party,
even if it could present an mbroken front
toits opponents at the forthcoming election,
would fHd that it needed all in strength
to emerge victorious fram the contest.
The War Commission Blue Books may
he described a. 1000 pages Of indictment
against the Unionist Ministry. Every day
since their issue the British newspapers,
irrespective Of party. have been printing
extracts therefrom OF the most danning
nature they can select and pointing morsl
in their editorial columns, This has al
ready had a very noticeable effect.
OF all the Ministers concerned. Mr..
Chamberlain alone does not share the gen.
oral discrs't which the Commissioners
award, Even his political opponents, put
ting az iGe the quest ion Of whether the war
in South Africa was righteous or upright =
eous, grant that MIR. Chamberlain was the
only member of the Cabinet who showed
ioree ight and urged his colleagues to do
their duty. His position in the country.
therefore,, has been strengthened by what
as weakened that Of all his colleagues,
and, therefore, all the greater rs the &C.
sire Of the Unionist mn chine o retain him.
Three weeks ago, II. Il notable editorial
in the STANDARD. tbs cry for compromise
was raised. The Colonial Secretary was
then told that there must be no tax on food.
but he might be allowed to put light tax
on manufactures This week. in the same
newspaper, and simultaneously in the
great Provincial organ OF the UIionist
party. the Yorkshire Post Mr.. Chamberlain
is again approached.
He 10 told there ID never any objection
to a small duty on foreign grain or -four.
that the abandonment Of the shilling tax
was a sratuitous piece Of pedantry and
its restitution, even with slight advance,
would do no harm. The Pest continues:
An Is-penny or 2-shilling duty on foreign
grain could not BE- regarded in any sense
as a protective tax. and II the Chancellor
Of the Exchequer could arrange the next
budget on that basis there would be little
opposition TO fear
On such lines It expresses the hope for a
via media" which would release the Gov
ssnment and their followers from posi-
ton of unendurable embarrassment.
british journalists arv envious Of DR..
Bircke. Danish newspaper writer, who
has scored distinct success over the heads
OF English reporters. They entirely re-
inquished the idea OF ever being able to
Interview Colonial Secretary Chamberlain
IN regard to his tariff ideas. DR.. Bircke,
who is a member of the Parliament OF Den
mark, has Just had an hours conversation
with Mr. Chamberlain OIL this subject.
He was evidently Of the opinion that
Mr., Chamberlains scheme would affect
Denmark The Colonial Secretary assured
Dr. Bircke that his proposals would not
ruin Denmark, but he refused to be drawn
into general discussion Of the tariff ques-
ton.
DR.. Brick, expresses the opinion that Mr.
Chamberlain will give his opponents huge
surprise and will win lot Of supporters
"a Soon IA he speaks in October. during the
general election. 1T is impossible" says
Dr. Bircke. that such a man can be wrong
as to facts or figures