Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-10
WILL he RESIGN i?
Sec. ChamberIain's Preferential
Tariff Showed Under.
Tremendous Opposition from All
Sides of British Commons.
Cabinet Detected and Dissolution of
House Not Improbable.


nation of Colonial Secretary Cham
berain is the most startling develop
ment of the proposal of the chancellor
of the exchequer,. Mr.. Richie, to
abolish the corn tax, the debate on
which kept the House of Commons, to-
day, packed and spellbound until mid
night. Even if Premier Balfour per-
suades Mr.. Chamberlain to remain in
the cabinet the colonial secretary's
preferential tariff program is hopeless
ly showed under and his influence as a
political power in Great Britain, at
least temporarily eclipsed.
All the members of the government
who contributed to today's debate Wig
orousy declared themselves as free
traders ana frankly opposed Mr..
Chamberlain's proposals. Except for
Mr.. Chaplin, not a voice on either side
of the House was raised in effective
support of Mr.. Chamberlain'S cam
pai@n. Former members of cabinets
and private members, irrespective of
party, protested against any dicker-
ing with Great Britain's fiscal policy.
The Unionists Wed with the Liberals
in declaring themselves out and out
free traders.
All that was lacking in the complete
route of the protectionist cabinet min
lister was Mr.. Halfour's official pro-
nounccment, as premier and on behalf
of the government that the cabinet as
Il whole refused to adopt Mr.. Chamber
lain'S views. The premier was absent
from the debate, because according to
report Mr.. Balfour was spending the
evening endeavoring to persuade the
colonial secretary to remain in the
cabinet, notwithstanding his differ
cnces with his colleagues
The debate was adjourned at mid
night when amidst a sensation, Chan
cellor of the Exchequer Ritchie said he
hoped Mr.. Balfour would be able to
give the House. Wednesday, Il definite
statement on behalf of the entire cabi-
net though he could not promise 1t.
Upon the resumption of the debate.
Mr.. ChapIin's amendment to the budget
bill. which is the cause of this S"nSa-
tional political crisis, will be taken up
Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman Will
demand the right of the Liberals to
know the prcmitr's attitude towards
free trade before they support him in
the repeal of the corn tax. Mr.. l'alfour
will rcplv and Mr.. Chamberlain IS also
expected to speak
There are many members who be
licNo, tonight that Premier Baifouf
will also resign and that Il dissolution
OF thc House is involved, but these ru-
mnrs lack confirmation, the best opin-
ION being that solution Of the criSl"
will be arrived at by Mr.. Chamberlain :
RESIGNATION or by an open declaration
shat he is. willing to drop for the pres
cnt his preferential tariff proposals.
Mr.. Chaplin's amendment was
scarcely made today, before it became
, secondary consideration; its defeat
v,as assured Until midnight the fight.
if such an uudcfenl"d struggle could
h. so described. ragged around MT.
chamberlain. "Oil and vitriol' is the
only ADEQUATE description of Sir Mich
aol Hicks Beach.s speech. which start
ed the revolt. Amid intcnS" silence
this famous Tory eX-minister cXtoll"d
the colonial ScCrctary'S virtues ana
damned his program. BLACK Michael
rs he is fHmiliarly called, WIS EcVcr
seen to better advantage.
Tho ministers sat with rOublrd f1CC1i
Mr.. Ealfour looking especially detected
Mr.. chamberlain. deserving his usual
place. palpr even than usual, stretched
himself nonchalantly Mt the end of the
treasury bench. Throughout the aft"r-
neon he never exchanged word with
his colleagues. After Mr.. RitChie ha''
denounced the colonial secretary
iuCas. Mr. Chamberlain StaiEcd out OF
the chamber without even nod To
Mi. Eafour.
Member after member arose frog
the Unionist tanks: some who sup'
ported Mr.. Chaplin. refused to eat
their words" with which they had pre-
vioysly supported the government when
the corn tax was originally brought III:
others Landed Chancellor of the In
chcoucr RitChic for his refusal to pan
der to the spirit of protection: all de-
mandod that Mr. Ralfour cnli%hte0
them regarding the governments view
as q whole. Sir Henry Fowler Uiber-
AID in exceptionally able speech dwclt
on Premier Balfours duty TO the ma
ton to ascertain the opinion of his col
leagues and let the House and tie poo
pie know the cabinets decision regard
ing Il question which was SO vital t.
the empire
After the dinner recess, the excite
ment was heightened by the absence OF
both the colonial secretary and the pre-
micr. 4 bitter attack on any tampcr-
ing with free trade was made by Sir
John Grost, Conservative. who de-
clarcd that a great portion Of the rising
generation in the United Kingdom was
already so degenerate and poverty
stricken that anything tending to in
crease the price of food would threaten
Il national disaster.
James Bryce, Liberal, followed, de-
claring that the reference to the United
States. made by Mr.. Chamberlain and
other speakers in support of the pro-
tectiorists' argument was quite err
roneous. as American prosperity was
due greatly to the cheapneSs of 1000
under a system by which free trade
prevailed between all the great states
composing the American nation. Inc
colonial secrctary's idea, said THE
speaker, would disntegrate the empire
ard produce a network of protective
tariffs such as that in which America
was now enmeshed.