Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-09-22

and excitement, caused by the dramat-
lie announcement of Chamberlain's
resignation from the secretaryship for
the colonies prevails among
all classes in the United Kingdom to
the exclusion of every other topic. The
great majority of the public only learn
ed the news from the morning papers
and the astonis ament in many cases
was so great as to prevent the express
sion of any coherent opinion.
Extraordinary Crisis.
The Pail Mall Gazette this afternoon
APPLY sums up the general feeling by
describing the present crisis as the
"mQJt extraordinary in the whole his
tory Of the constitutional govern
ment."
Bafour to Fill Vacancies.
The Pail Mall Gazette states that
Premier Balfour will fill up the va
cancies and carry on the government
until he meets with parliament in
1904.
No Election Soon.
Chamberlain, also does not look for
IN immediate general election, expect
ing at least twelve months propagan-
da before the electorate can decide up
on his proposals.
Many Rumors Current.
Other rumors are current that Bal
four lis unable to find man to fill the
vacancy and that he will be obliged
to hand the king his own resignation.
This, however, does not appear likely.
May Name Miner.
The Westminster Gazette and 9TH
er papers forecast Lord Miner high
commissioner in South Africa, sue
ceeding at the colonial office and it is
definitely announced that Lord Stan
ley, financial secretary to the war of
fee and probably James Lowther dep
uty speaker will be among those pro
NOTED to the cabinet. but the details
of it's reconstruction will not likely be
known until Balfour has seen the king.
Almost every paper has its own can
didates for the various vacant offices
but few prophecies coincide. 53 I
VIII Support Balfour.
The attitude of the Duke of Devon
shire, lord president,of the council, be-
ing unknown to the public creates fur
Their uncertainty. Lord Rothschild's
statement yesterday to the Associated
Press, however, can be safely taken as
an indication that the duke intends to
support Balfour at any rate until par
lament meets.
Market Not Affected.
The predictions that the market
would not be affected by the cabinet
crisis have been fulfilled, indeed, con-
soils have exhibited firmer tone to-
day.
Break Came Last Night.
The break in the ministry came last
night, though not in exactly the form
expected, when it was announced that
Secretary Chamberlain had resigned
as secretary of the colonies. II was al.
SO announced at the same time that c.
T. Richie, chancellor of the eXchequer
and Lord George Hamilton, secretary
of state for India, had also handed in
their designations because their views
on the fiscal policy of the government
were opposed to those of Balfour and
Chamberlain.
Chamberlain Tells Why.
Mr.. Chamberain's letter accompanying
his resignation is dated at Birmingham
Sept. 8. That part of it referring to his
plans for a preferential tariff is as fol
lows:
"lror the present, at any rate. prefer
entail agreement with our colonies invoy
ing any new duty, however small on arti
Giles of food hitherto untaXed, even if ac
companied by a reduction of taxation OF
other articles of food equally universal ii
their consumption would be unacceptable
to the majority of the constituencies.
However much we may regret the deci
sion, however mistaken we may think 1t
no good government in n democratic coun
try can ignore it. / feel. therefore, tina
as an immediate practical policy the ques
ton of preference to the colonies cannot BIZ
pressed with any hope of success at thu
present time, although there is a strons
feeling in favor of the other branch of fs
cal reform which would give fuller discre
tion to the government in negotiating Will
foreign countries for freer exchange o
commodities and which would enable ou
representatives to retaiate If no concession
was made to our just demands
'.If, as believe, you share these views
It seems to me that YOU will be absolutel!
justified In adopting them as the policy o
your government although 1T will necessa
riiy involve some changes in its constitu
tfon.
His Work for Federal Unity.
sAs secretary for the colonies during til
last eight years, ] have been in Il specia
sense the representative of the policy of
closer union which firmly believe to b
equally necessary in the interests of til
colonies and ourselves. | believe ii is pos
sible today and may he impossible tomol
row to make arrangements for such
union ! have had unexampled opportun
ties of watching events and apprpciatn
the feelings of our kinsmen beyond TIL
seas. stand. therefore, in n different pc
sition to any of my colleagues, and thin
that / should be justly blamed if re
NAMED In office and thus formally accept
ed the exclusion from my political pre-
gram of so important a part thereof
II think with absolute loyalty to you
sAyasaaaeat sad with NO fear of enlbal