The Washington times., 1903-10-07
Balfour's Isolation.
The Irreconcilable Conflict Between
Protectionists and Free Traders.

Protectionists and Free Traders.
Mr.. Chamberlain's speech at Glas-
gov, last night, and the resignation
OF the Duke of Devonshire from thu
presidency of the council, earlier in
the week, leave Mr. Balfour's govern
ment suspended, like Mahomet's coffin,
midway in tie air. And, like Ma
hornets coffin, it can not be long be-
fore it will have ceased to be living
force and been relegated to the records
of the past.
Mr.. Chamberlain, the self-pro-
claimed missionary of the empire"
has begun preaching the gospel of
Simon-pure protection The note he
sounds has no uncertain tone. 1t is
clear and uneompromising. In thirty
years, he points out, the exports o.
England have stood still under free
trade. while those of the United
States and Germany have grown be-
hind the shield of protection. The
British Empire, he thinks, needs for
Its development the same potent in
strument which has created the indus
tries of Germany and the United
States. Without it, he fears, the Brit
ish Empire will drop to pieces as the
Campanile at Venice fell. With il, he
believes, the vast area and vaster pop
uIation under the British flag can be
united and developed INTO a self-suf-
heient, economic realm, Independent
OF the rest Of the world
The Duke of Devonshire refuses to
follow the lead of Mr.. Chamberlain.
IN vain, he says in his letter ia Mr..
Balfour, did he look in the latter's
Sheffield speech fer q definite state
leent of adherence to the principles Of
free trade as the ordinary basis Of
cur fiscal and commercial system, and
an equally definite reputation of the
principles Of protection in the inter
ests Of our national industries" And
not being able to agree with the views
expressed by Mr.. Balfour, and rightly
believing that, uEier such circum-
stances, he cannot De a satisfactory
exponent in the house of lords Of the
prime minister's policy, he has re-
signed from the government.
The bridge which Mr.. Balfour
sought to raise, aniting the following
o. Chamberlain with that Of the Duke
CT Deyonshire, was a structure toe
iiimsy to inspire confidence. It repre-
tented compromise with principles
I'm politics as well rs in morals a
dangerous thing to attempt. Nc
doubt II appealed strongly to dis
ciple of the philosophy Of doubt" il
could only be rejected with scorn by
intensely practical politicians cf tho
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES type. The
lament Of Balfour over what he evi
gently seeks his constituents TO believe
was the Duke OF Devonshire's du-
phcity and treachery is almost puer
lie Il see no difficulty" he exelaims
with a whine almost, Gin carrying ou
the policy which for fortnight yol
we're willing to accept, by the aid Of
an administration which for a fort
night you helped me to construct
This is the attitude Of man with ;
grievance. And the world is alto
gether too busy to listen with patienc,
II the wall Of a bafiicd trimmer.
AT this distance the premier's isola
ton seems complete The middle
ground so laboriousIy mapped out by
lin is left a hapless and hopeless
space. deserted ~ everyone still be
leving IN the existence of principles
The time for compromise has evident
ly psssed The great fiscal problem
confronting the empire viii have t.
be determined on a line sharply divid
Ing free traders from protectionists