New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-17
DEV0NSHIRE IN THE FIELD
FREE FOOD PRESIDENT.
His Part in Campaign, Hoceucr,
Not To BE 4fctfUe.

10, oct l6-The Duke Of Devonshire
80 lord President Of the Council has con-
s..io,allz accepted the presidency Of the Free
roo League. which is organizing campaign
,oains; the fiscal policy Of Mr.. Chamberlain
and Mr. Balfour.
This important move i'm the fiscal contest was
"a known tonight at the meeting Of the
.,.-lssr,,ertary committee Of the league. when
. letter from the Duke Of Devonshire to Sir
sucbael fIicxs-Iseach. Mr.. Ritchie's predecessor
&c chancellor OF the EXchequer. accepting the
,re-e6 presidency Of the league upon certain
,.,-si.ions was read. The committee passed
. resolution unanimously accepting the condi-
,,ons and this action was communicated i'm
,nesiately 10 the Duke OF Devonshire. The sub
stance Of the dukes letter follows:
Devonshire House. oct. Ii.
Dear Beach: You informed me when We last
,,et that the wish had been expressed that |
soir the league and take a leading part in its
nperatious. ] understand that the principal OBJ
sect ~ the league is to oppose the new departure
IN the fiscal policy, which now has been definite
~ announced. and which includes the taxation
az food imports from foreign countries and
preferential treatment for the colonies. well
IS a general tariff imported manufactured
Goods ] understand that these objects do not
involve opposition 10 the policy of the govern
rnent. iu 50 far as that policy is limited TO re
serving 10 the government the right Of pro-
posing 10 Parliament tariff legislation for the
purpose Of negotiating commercial treaties and
ihe mitigation Of hostile tariffs
Continuing. the Duke OF Devonshire refers TO
.he desrability Of restraining the strongly pro-
tectionist tendencies manifested at the recent
conference at sheffield and says that the duty
of combating before the country the doctrines
OF the Tariff Reform League should not be left
entirely 10 Radicals and members Of the Golden
Club
The Duke Of Devonshire states that he cannot
reject the invitation Of the Free Food League TO
become its president, although he must accept
that Office condtionaily. He says:
though bearing the name Of the league. is sub
FtanuaIy Parliamentary committee. I antici-
pate that you viii seek TO broaden its constitu-
fon with the object OF extending its operations
II this is done. and I invited TO accept the
presidency. ] must ask to be consulted 10 the
nature Of such extension. so that may have the
opportunity OF determining how far feel myself
II unison with the constitution. ! also ask
thar i he made clear that the views I have above
expressed to its attitude toward the govern
.nent are fully shared 10y the league. Il must
also be understood that such services as l could
render can only be limited in character.
L is seventeen years since took an active
part IN the campaign against Home Rule. 1t is
not in my power to take the same active part
now that ] took then. ! must be regarded
rather as adverse than n conbatant. II is
with some reluctance that I consent to even
this limited part in the present controversy.
but feel that many TniOnist members Of Par
lament. whose ideas I believe agree with mine.
ETe making great sacrifices IN order TO maintain
their opinions, and / unwilling that they
should regard me as Indifferent TO their political
Interests.
Nr. Richie the former Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer. and Lord George Hamilton former
Secretary Of State for India. have also Joined
Ehe league.