The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-08
knowledge that they can no longer Co
operate in the same political party.


operate in the same political party.
As regards the machinery of the Union
list coalition, it looks as if Mr.. CHAMBER
LAIN would lose the support OF the Lib
al-Unionist Association, for his chief
lieutenant, Mr.. JESSE CoLLINGs, il under
stood to be hostile to the taxation of food.
On the other hand, the fact that Capt.
WELLS, the head Of the Metropolitan Fire
Brigade, has been appointed principal
wirepuller of the Central Conservative
Association, is construed as proof that
Mr. BALFoUR will retain control Of that
machine. 1t follows that the Conserva-
tive free traders, led by Lord GosCHEN,
Sir MICHAEL HIcKs-BEACH and Mr..
RITcHIE, will ultimately, if they contem-
plate concerted and efficient action, be
compelled to organize machine OF their
own. Then the split in the Conservative
ranks will be undisguised.
Whether Conservative free traders will
vote for Liberal candidates at the next
general election is uncertain. 1t may
not be necessary that they should do
this in order to assure the rejection OF
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN proposal. II they
put up candidates OF their own, and thus
divide the Conservative vote in large
number of constituencies, they will as
sure the triumph OF the Liberal nominees
so far as England, Wales and Scotland
are concerned. Whether the Liberals
even on an anti-bread tax issue can
secure a majority over protectionist
Conservatives and Irish Nationalists
combined is doubtful, and at present,
it looks as if the Nationalists would hold
the balance of power in the next House
OF Commons. This is not the opinion OF
the more optimistic Liberals, who. in
spite of the former dissensions between
the pro-Boer and anti-Boer factions
within their party, and of the unaccept-
ability of Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNER-
MANS leadership, are counting on a
repetition of the sweeping victory gained
by them in 1880, when they secured a
considerable majority over Conserva-
tives and Irish Home Rulers put to-
gether.
1t is reported that the Colonial Secre-
tary himself does not even profess to
think that his plan Of preferential
tariff will be sanctioned on the first APP
peal to the constituencies. He believes,
however, that, if the appeal can be de-
ferred for year, or even until next
autumn, he will succeed in making many
converts among those who, like Mr.. BAL
FOUR, declare that they have no settled
convictions touching the taxation Of
food for protection purposes. He holds,
also, that the toiling millions will ulti-
mately submit to bread tax if they
are assured that the whole proceeds Of
the tax will come back to them in the
form Of old-age pensions.
But, as we have formerly pointed out,
no such assurance can be given. For,
the moment Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN's aim
shall have been entirely attained, and
the Colonies, whose breadstuffs are adj
mtted duty free shall have managed
to supply tho whole Of Great Britain's
demand for imported grain, there will
cease TO be any revenue at all from the
duty imposed on foreign wheat and
-four. Moreover, it is probable--some
say certain-that millions of British
subjects, even If they were tempted by
the prospect Of old-age pensions, could
not afford to add even a penny n week
to their bread bill, 80 close are they at
the present moment to the edge of star
walton. 1t has been computed that no
fewer than 100000 inhabitants of the
United Kingdom are at this moment
underfed, ill-housed and underclothed.
To tax the victims Of such abiect desti
tuition in order to conciliate Colonists
comparatively well-to-do, may we'll be
characterized by philanthropists as a
startling proposal.