The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-18
Leaves the Ministry to Fight
for His Policy,
and BALF0UR HOPES HE'LL WIN.
Richie and Lord George Hamilton
Resign, Too.

NOT Now UV3nu ZOE TOOu lN-STUs
erential Tariff fer the Cslsuies Nss
on Government Progrsmme-Oths
Parts Of Chamberlain Presrsnns
Adspted-Mis Son VIII Keep once
Special Cable Despatch to TIM suH.
LONDON. Sept. 1.-THE following IN
nouncement, which puts sensational and
unexpected end to tho conflicting spscula-
tions OF tho last few days. was Issued from
the Prime Minister'S oficial residence
tonight:
10 DOWNING srRHBf.
tho following Ministers have tendarsd
their designations, which have been 90
copied by tho King: The Right Hon.
Joseph Chamberlain, NJ. p; the Right Hon.
c. r. Richie. M. p, and the Right Hon.
Lord George Hamilton. NJ. p
At the same time that this brief statemsnS
was issued, tho following corespondsocs
between Mr.. Chamberlain and Prime Min
lister Balfour was given out:
H1oHBURY, BIRMINGHAM, Sept. o.
MY DEAR BALFoUR: In anticipation Of
the important Cabinet which is to meet
Monday, have most carefully considered
| the present situation as it affects the Gov.
eminent and also the great question Of
| fiscal reform.
When you. in replying to deputation
on the corn tax, and I. in addressing my
constituents at Birmingham, called atten-
ton to the changes that had taken place in
our commercial position during the last
fifty years and suggested an inquiry into
the subjects, do not think that either OF
US intended to provoke a purely party
controversy.
We raised, not for the first time, ques-
ton OF the greatest national imperial i'm
portance, in the hope that 1t would be dis
cussed with a certain impartialty by both
| it's friends and opponents, and that the In
curry thus initiated might lead to conclu-
sions that would be accepted by the ma
jority OF tho people Of this country and
represented accordingly in the results OF
the next general election.
Whether our view was reasonable or
not it was certainly not shared by the leaders
of the Liberal party. From the first they
secuted the idea that system which was
generally accepted in 1s46 could possibly
require any modification in 1908, and the
whole resources of the party organization
were brought to play against any attempt
to alter or even to inquire into the founda-
tions of our existing fiscal policy.
Meanwhile the advocates Of reconsidera-
ton were at great disadvantage, owing
to the admitted differences of opinion in
the Unionist party. The political organiza-
tions Of the party We're paralyzed. and our
opponents have had full possession OF the
field.
They have placed in the forefront OF their
arguments their objections to the taxation
of food and even to any readjustment OF
existing taxation, with view OF securing
mutual advantage to ourselves and our
colonies and closer union OF the different
parts Of the empire.
A somewhat interruptions Use has been
made Of the old cry of the dear loaf, and
in the absence of any full public discus
sion, / recognize that serious prejudice
has been created and that while the people
generally are alive to the danger OF unre-
stricted competition on the part OF those
foreign countries which close their mar
kets to us while finding in our market an out.
let for their surplus production, they have
not vet appreciated the importance to our
trade of colonial markets, nor the danger
| of losing them il we do not meet in some
wav their natural patriotic desire for pref
erent!al trade.
The result is that for the present, at any
rate, preferential agreement with our
colonies involving any new duties. however
small. on articles of food which have hith.
erto not been taxed is, even II accompanied
by reduction OF taxation Of other articlea
of food of equally universal consumption
unacceptable to the ma jority in the con-
stituencies.
However much we may regret theil
decision and however mistaken we may
think It to be, no Government in demo.
cratic country can ignore 1t
feel, therefore, that as an immediate
and practical policy the question OF prefer
ence to the Colonies cannot be preesec
with any hope Of success at the present
time, although there Is n very strong feel
ing in favor Of the other branch Of fsca
reform which would give fuller discretion
to the Government in negotiating with
foreign countries for freer exchange o.
commodities, and would enable our repre-
sentatives to retalate If no concession wer'
made to our just claims for greater reel
procity
II, az believe, You share these views
il seems to me that you will be absolutely
lust fled In adopting them as the polio,
of your Government, although 1t will neces
sariy involve some changes in its con
stitution.
As Secretary of State for the Colonie
during the last eight years. ] have beef
in special sense the representative Of I
policy OF closer union which firmly be
lieve IL equally necessary in the interest
Of the Colonies and ourselves, and ! he
lieve that it Is possible to-day and ma
be impossible tomorrow to make arrange
ments for such union. had unexample'
opportunities of watching the trend 0
events and Of approaching the feelings o
our kinsmen beyond the seas.
stand. therefore, In a different posito
TO that Of any Of my colleagues, and ! thin
! should Justly be blamed II remained u
? office and thus formally accepted exclusto
! from my political programme Of so impor
. tant part Of II
/ think that with absolute loyalty 10 you
> Government and ~ general policy ard wit
, no fear Of embarrassing II In any way,
| k....t la n ka.y "a AA~