Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-06-19
.bALF0UR WILL
NOT BACK down.
Challenged in the House Of
Commons, Says He Has
Nothing to Modify.
SAYS He WOULD RETALIATE
Outcome Of the Days Debate 10
Looked Upon as Big Victory for
Chamberlain, But . Crisis Cannot
Be Long Delayed.

London, June 18.--In the course of
questions regarding the new fiscal
proposals, in the house Of commons
yesterday, the liberal leader, Sir
Henry Campbell-Bannerman. obtained
leave to move the adjournment of the
house in order to discuss point arts.
ing from the reply which the premier
made to Sir Henry in. the house on
June II. The latter, on that occasion,
called the attention to the dispatch Of
Vice-Admiral Lawson, governor of
New South Wales. to Colonial Secre.
tary Chamberlain, supporting the sec.
retarys preferential trade proposals.
The premier Of New South Wales.
Sir Henry pointed out, has since tele.
graphed that the declaration which he
referred to in his dispatch was con-
tanned in the speeches of Mr. Balfour
and Mr.. Chamberlain, and the liberal
leader invited the premier to tele.
graph to the government of New
South Wales "a correction of its mis-.
apprehension"
Mr.. Balfour declared that he had
nothing to withdraw or to modify in
the speech referred to- The matter
was taken up again at the evening
session, when Mr. Balfour, after read.
ing Vice-Admiral Lawson's dispatch:
said that with regard to preferential
trade the cabinet were at one with
the government of New South Wales
In desiring a thorough investigation.
He denied emphatically that the gov.
eminent had raised any false hopes in
the colonies. The only chance where.
by the colonists might regard their
hopes as false would be If the opposi-
ton assumed power and carried out
their implied intention to abandon the
colonies to the trade discrimination
of the whole world
Sir Charles Dixie having referred
to the premier's statement as mo-
mentous one, committing the govern.
ment to policy of retaliation, which
was direct step towards avowed pro.
lection, Mr.. Balfour retorted that he
had not said word about retaliation,
but he would not shrink from retalia-
ton if he were satisfied there was no
other method.
Mr.. Chamberlain then arose and re-
ferred to Germany's action toward
Canada as proof that there was a
hostile discrimination against the col
onies. He did not blame Germany so
long as the British policy was to lie
down under that treatment. Then en-.
dorsing the premier's statement re.
garding retaliation, the colonial sec.
rotary expressed his confidence that
Germany would not compel Great
prif MT "a 1NrciHn,~ 1fo%
ures, but II it did he would say with
Mr.. Balfour, that it was the govern
ment's duty to find remedy.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman' s
motion was then rejected.
The result of yesterdays debate is
recognized as great personal tri-
umph for Mr.. Chamberlain. The in
.tention of the liberals was to drive q
wedge between the colonial secretary
and the premier. who has throughout
endeavored to maintain a non-commit-
tai attitude towards the preferential
tariff proposals. Instead of attaining
this aim, the effect of the debate was
to drive Mr.. Balfour into the colonial
secretary's arms and practically com.
NIT the government to a policy of re.
taliation.
A feature of the situation was the
changed attitude of the conservatives
towards Mr.. Chamberlain. In previous
debates on the same subject Mr..
Chamberlain was treated with GER
tain GOODNESS; last night, on the con-
trary, he was greeted with ringing
cheers throughout his speech, and he
himself wore the brisk and satisfied
air of q man foreseeing his triumph.
It is believed that the government
position Is more than ever precarious
and nothing can delay an appeal to
the country on the question.