New-York tribune., 1903-06-11
THE P4RTY,S SAVIOR.
Premier's .Skilfm and NoncOm INITIAL
Spfech-C Chamberlain Jubilant.
JBv The Associated Presse

London, June 10-By 4 dexterous and extraor-
binary speech the Premier. Mr.. Balfour. tonight
temporarily smoothed over the differences in the
Cabinet relieved the Colonial Secretary, MIR.
Chamberlain. from any necessity OF resignng,
and for the moment averted a crisis which
threatened the Unionist party. This Mr.. Bal
four accomplished without committing the gov
eminent either 10 protection or free trade,
though the effect Of his speech win generally be
taken &c mean that the tariff issue is TO be
shelved for the present. Henry Chaplin's
amendment, which gave rise to the most inter
esJing debate Of the present Parliament. was de
feated by the overwhelming majority of 396
votes. composed Of Unionists. Liberals and Irish
members The minority who supported Mr..
ChapIin's amendnleft were almost all the fol-
lowers OF the government. while many others Of
the Conservative party abstained from voting
i was 1890 o'clock tonight when Mr.. Balfour
Frrang to his feet to reply to the taunts of the
Opposition and appeals from his own party.
Tor two days the House of Commons has rung
with echoes OF discussions within the Cabinet
and dissatisfaction without. The Premier
loudly cheered. He had scarcely begun TO deal
with MI Chaplins amendment before he
Interrupted by a hurricane of applause and
fronical cheers at the entry Of Mr. Chamberlain.
who had been absent hitherto through the even-
tuE. The Colonial Secretary dropped into his
accustomed place The House was now packed
vith peers members of the House and specta-
tors as II has not been since the days Of Home
Rule and they waited and listened in tense ex-
zectation.
IMPARTIAL OK FISCAL POLICY.
In = whimsical vein Mr.. Balfour explained
that the only reason that the corn tax was put
On was because the government wanted money,
srd the only reason il was taken of Vas be-
cause the government wanted money no longer
RevertlHg 70 the charges Of vaciliaton made
against him the Premier took on tone of un-
usual vehenIence He declared that he himself.
though = believer IN free trade--a statement
which met with loud applause-iid not regard
& as fetch. and ne had absolutely open
mind regarding the necessity for any alterations
IN system which WAS founded TO suit condi-
tons - fifty years ago. He refused not only to
make a statement Of any nuality upon such an
in1portan; question. but he also refused TO com
pei ms colleagues TO conform tn a standard OF
opinion upon which he himself had an open
mind I4e admitted that differences Of opinion
existed within the Cabinet, but these were not
serious enoush 20 cause tl-e resignation Of
any member.
Mr.. Balfour made impassioned plea. en-.
forced by the precedents Of friction in Mr.. Glad
stones ministries. for allowing the Premier to
retain an open mind upon question so difficult
and so superior 10 all party issues. The speak
q did not believe that the country would ever
return 10 the old protective system, and no tax
on food was ever imposed without the full assent
&C the working classes. They were confronted.
however continued the Premier. by three great
phenomena: Huge tariff walls against the
United Kin/hom the growth Of the trusts. and