The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-10-06
MR TARIFF REFORM
Premier BalfOur Makes Opening
Speech in British Campaign.
NO NEW ARGUMENTS ADVANCED

NO NEW ARGUMENTS ADVANCE
His Address Was Mainly a Repe'i.
ton Of Arguments Contained In His
Secret Pamphlst-Pays Tribute to
Golden.
LONDON. Oct. g.-Addressing a mass
meeting at Sheffield in connection
with the conference of the National
Union of Conservative Associations.
Premier Balfour delivered the speech
which has been long hcralded as the
first heavy gun to be fired in the fiscal
reform campaign. which is absorbing
the attention of the United Kingdom.
her colonies and, indeed. the whole
world and which has caused the pres
ent British cabinet crisis. the result
Of which it is impossible to foretel
Mr. Balfour. in the course OF his
speech did not even hint at the sue
cessors in the cabinet to Mr.. Chamber
lain. Lord George Hamilton and Mr..
Richie. The premier confined himself
strictly TO the tariff question. and his
speech was 10 a large extent a rope
tition Of tho arguments contained IN
his secret pamphlet
"What IS it," the premier asked.
that has brought this topic into eX-
ceptional prominence? There are
those who would attribute the I'm.
portance it has attained 10 that great
speech delivered by a great man. Mr..
Chamberlain in May last but some
thing more IS required 10 account for
a phenomenon unparalleled in the ok
perience OF any man am now al
dressing"
Mr.. Balfour attributed this promi-
hence TO the fact that the country was
in closer touch with the colonies as
a result Of the late war and that the
representatives Of the ministers In the
colonies had brought before the en-
pire the question of tariff reform
The premier paid tribute to Cob
den. who he said. had an ideal but
he did not foresee the developments
of the last half century. which had
made free trade an empty name and
a vain force For 80 years England
without making a sign had watched
the wall OF hostile tariffs growing mp
and dividing nation from nation. After
describing the treaty the premier
said.
Free trade Is. indeed, an empty
name and a vain farce. If il is a
fact that foreign nations are setting
themselves 10 divert our industries,
exclude our manufactures and limit
the international policy of supply and
demand There has been a develop
ment Of which Golden and rs con
temporaries never dreamed-the de-
yelOpment OF the trust system under
protection. The phenomenon is so now
that | dare scarce venture to pr0phesy
what developments il is likely 20 take.
but you may be be absolutely sure
that In the alliance OF trusts and tar
ifs there is a danger to the capital
and enterprise Of this country, which
acts and reacts not mainly upon the
capitalist Tor he is at liberty TO go 70
those regions where his industry viii
be looked after. but II viii fall with
It's heaviest weight upon the artisan
and the labor classes. which are In
capable OF protecting their interests
against such a calamity.
NOW. If have rightly described
the dangers and evils we suffer you
are entitled to ask me whether | know
Of a cure My answer viii be disap
pointing. ! know OF no cure, but / do
know Of pa.liation. The III has
gone too far You will not get the
great commercial nations Of the world
10 abandon protection. ] fear that you
will not get the great selfgOverning
colonies to retrace the steps which
we without remonstrance permitted
them TO take. II is common sense that
we. the greatest commercial nation.
should come forward and say; We
want TO arrange treaties with you.
but we have nothing to give you, moth
ing 10 withhold from you We throw
ourselves upon your mercy and con .
sideration. Please remember how good
we are to your commerce. how we /
throw no impediment In its way. ami F.
how we do all we can for you. and .
please don't forget rs when you are .
making your next treaty. (Laughter) .
Concerning the question as 10
whether y was intended 90 revoro I
the verdict of the great case of Free .
Trade VS.. Protection OF 1886. his an
swer was that the controversy OF 184j /
was Of no interest to the present gen /
Grafton. and was utterly inappropriate
10 1903. He said:
"Our grandfathers fought the battle
in view Of the actual situation. | ask
the nation today TO follow their ex-
ample and not be misled by musty de-
bates. The second question is: DO
you desire to reverse and alter the
fundamental fiscal tradition which has
prevailed for two generations?' Ny
answer is. Yes, do. loud 3hccrs)