The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-10
British Colonial SeCretary's Tax Pol
icy Is Denounced by the House
of Commons

London. June lo,--The rumored resigna-
ton of Colonial Secretary Chamberlain is
the most startling development or the
proposal OF the chancellor OF the exche-
ouer. Mr. Ritchie, 10 abolish the corn tax.
the debate on which yesterday kept the
house Of commons packed and spelbound
until midnight
Even II Premier Balfour persuades Mr.
Chamberlain to remain in the cabinet
the colonial secretarys preferential tarir
program is hopelessly showed under ana
his influence as political power IN
Great Britain. at least. temporarily
eclipsed.
All the members of the government
who contributed to- yesterdays debate
vigorously declared themselves as Tree
traders and frankly opposed Mr cham
Except for Mr. Chaplin not a voice on
either side OF the house was raised IN
effective support OF MIR hers az eanets
and private members. irrespective OF
party. protested against any dicEering
WITH Great ,sa BTtans ,b ,bs sc1l P9i in dee
claring themselves out-and-out Tree
traders.
BALFoUR ABSENT FROM DEBATE.
All that was lacking i'm the comTlete
route OF the protectionist cabinet minis
ter was Mr. Balfours official pronounse-
ment as premier and on behalf OF me me
refused TO adopt Mr.. Chamberlain 8
views
Both the pronouncement and the pre-
mier were absent from the depale, re-
cause according to report. Mr.. Balfouf
was spending the evening endeavoring 70
persuade the colonial secretary 70 remain
In the cabinet Notwithstanding MS dlHeF-
ence with his colleagues.
The debate was adjourned a midnight.
when. amidst a sensation. chancellor OF
the Fxcheduer Ritchle said he hoped Mr.
Balfour would he able TO give the house
on wednesday a definite statement on be-
half of the entire cabinet. though he
could not promise IL.
Upon tile resur ption OF the debate Mr..
Chaplins amendment TO the Budget bill.
which IL the cause Of this sensational
polit cal crisis. will he taken up.
Sir Henry Campbell Banrerman has
modified his position. probably as a re-
suit OF todays proceeding, and will de-
mand the right Of the liberals 20 know
the premier's attitude toward free trncc
before they support him In the repeal
OF the corn tax.
Mr. Balfour will reply and Mr.. Cham
berlain is also expected TO speak.
There are many members who believe
tonight that Prem er Balfour will also
resign and that a dissolution of the house
Is involved. but these rumors lack con
frmation. the best opinion being that q
solution OF the crisis will be arrived al
by Mr.. Chemberialns resignation or by
an open declaration that he IS willing e
drop for the present his preferential
tariff proposals.
SPEECH OF OIL AND vITRoL
Mr. Chaplln's amendment was scarce
ly made tcjay before II became n sec
ondary consideration. Its defeat was az
sured.
Until midnight tho fight IL such ar
unde Tended struggle could be so Ges
cribed. ragged around Mr.. Chamberlain
"Oil and vitrol'' ts the only adequat,
description OF Sir Michael Hicks- Belch''
speech which started the revolt
Anil intense silence this famous TORY
ex-minister extolled the colonial secre
tary's virtues and damned his program
"Black Michael" as ne Is fam ilarly
called. was never seen 10 better ad
vantage The ministers sat with trou
bled faces. Mr. Balfour looking especially
detected.
Mr. Chamberlain. ecsertnEs~hs usua
pace. paler even than usual. stretched
himself nonohalantly at the end OF th'
treasury bench.
Throughout tho afternoon he never cx
changed word with his colleagues
After Mr.. Ritchie had denounced tn
colonial secretarys ideas Mr. Chamber
lain stalked out Of the chamber without
even a nod to Mr.. Balfour
Member after member rose from th'
IInionist ranks. some. who supporte,
Mr. Chaplin. refused TO "eat they words
with which they had previously support
ed the government when the corn ta'
was originally brought I'm.
Others lauded Chancellor OF the Ex
cheauer Richie for his refusal 10 pande
20 the spirit OF protection; all demand
ed that Mr. Balfour enllghten them 70
al. 4 -
whole.
RISING GENERATION DEGENERATE
Sir Henry Fowler 0.iberaD. In an ex
ceptlonally able speech dwelt on Prcmc'
Baifours duty 20 the nation 10 ascertsi'
the opinion OF his colleagues and let "a
House and the people know the cabinet