The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-18
DEBATE OYER
PROTECTION
British Government Pledges Itself to
Support Colonies in Possible
Trade Wars.
Chamberlain's Policy Seems to Be
One of Reciprocity Between Eng
land and Her Dependencies.
New York Sun Special Service.


! London, June 1S.-Prime Minister Bal
four and Colonial Secretary Chamberlain
made statements in the house OF COM
mons last evening which are interpreted
by the opposition and the, latter's press
supporters as being most important dec
ilarations, developing new fiscal policy:
Those who are most eager for general
Election contend that this has been
brought appreciably nearer by the minis
terial utterances.
1t will be recalled that few days ago
the government Issued a telegram from
the governor of New South Wales, in
which satisfaction was expressed at the
declaration by the British government
that every selfgoverning colony shall be
secured in the free exercise of its right
ito enter into closer trade relations with
the mother country"
Balfour Replies.
Mr.. Balfour, replying to Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman, said he did not
know to what declaration the governor
referred, but anyhow the government
could not regard with Indifference any at
tempt to penalize British colony for CIV
ing special commercial advantages to
Great Britain. Subsequently. in response
to an unofficial inquiry, the governor OF
New South Wales, Admiral Sir Harry
;Rawson, telegraphed that he referred to
the speeches Of Mr.. Balfour and Mr..
Chamberlain in the house of commons on
this subject.
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. re-
ceiving an answer from Mr.. Balfour that
he had no information, and that there
was nothing to explain or withdraw,
moved the adjournment of the house in
order to discuss the subject, and the sub
sequent debate was peppery and drew
forth the aforementioned statements.
Sir Henry said that Mr.. Balfour's and Mr..
n SnaacheS
hopes in the colonies, which might be
bitterly disappointed.
= Mr.. Balfour tainted the liberals with
not challenging the government to de-
bate on the whole subject Of its dnan-
cial policy. He said they were afraid to
move vote of want Of confidence in the
government. Dealing specifically with the
passage Of the governors telegram quoted
above, Mr. Balfour said:
Stand by Colonies.
''This government is unanimously al
one with the government Of New South
Wales in favor Of an investigation. Are
we to understand that if other countries
penalize our colonies the liberals would
If they came to power, sit silently by
and watch the process Of intimidation 60
ing on? Would they tell the colonies tina
they had nothing more to hope from u:
II they suffered from giving US preference
This paragraph in the governors mes
sage does express the opinion of hi
majesty's government, and we do no
think it raises false hopes in the colonies
It can only do so If the liberals mean t,
abandon every colony
Sir Charles Dixie, radical. followed Mr.
Balfour. He declared that this was
n1omentous declaration, involving pol
icy Of retaliation.
Mr.. Balfour objected to such an inter
probation but said the government wa
determined not to leave the colonies il
the lurch. - =
= Sir Charles Dixie responded: ~
War Is Suggested.
IF you mean that you will go to war
] understand your distinction
Mr.. William Robson, liberal, having re
iterated Sir Charles Dilkes' statemen
that the government was committed t
retaliation, Mr.. Balfour interrupted, say
ing he had said nothing about retalia
ton, whereupon Mr.. Robson read an ex
tract from former speech to Mr.. Bal
four, in which the prime minister said
II do not shrink from retaliation If it
necessary, but am not certain that Their
is no other method"
Mr.. Chamberlain assured the house tina
Mr.. Balfour expressed the opinion of tn
whole government when he said that tn
to enter into closer fiscal relations wit
the mother country. The debate ende
in considerable excitement. Sir Henr
Campbell Bannerman's motion was dc
feated by a vote of 252 to 1872.