Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-10
Declares Recent spesChel Were Individual
Expressions of Opinion.
CONSERVATIVES DANGEROUSLY SPLIT
Old Politicians Recall Days When Home
Rue Divided Liberals.
PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES GRAIN DUTIES
Government would Remove Tax and
Though opposed by some support
ers obtain AID from Opposi-
tiOn and Irish.

LONDON. June e.-The rumored resigna-
tion Of Mr.. Chamberlain is the most start
ling development of the proposal of the |
chancellor of the exchequer. Mr.. Richie, to
abolish the corn tax, the debate on which |
kept the House of Commons today packed |
and sDellbound until midnight Even II !
Premier Balfour persuades Mr.. Chamber |
lain to remain in the cabinet the COLONEL
secretary's preferential tarin program is
hopelessly showed under and his influence
as a political power in Great Britain at
least temporarily eclipsed.
All members If the government who con-
tributed to today's debate vigorously de-
clared themselves as free traders and
frankly opposed Mr.. Chamberlains pro-
porals Except fer Mr.. Chaplins not a
voice on either side of the house was
raised IN effective support of Mr.. Cham
berlain's campaign. Former members OF
cabinets and private members, irrespective
Of party. protested against any dickering
with Great Britain's fiscal policy. The
unionists Wed with the liberals in declaring
themselves out and out free traders.
- All that was lacking in the complete rout
of the protectionist cabinet minister was
Mr Baltour's official pronouncement as
premier and on behalf of the government
that the cabinet as a whole refused to
adopt Mr. Chamberlains views.
BaIfour Pleads with Chamberlain.
Both the colonial minister and the pre-
mier were absent from the debate. because,
according to report. Mr.. Balfour was
spending the evening endeavoring to per-
suade the colonial secretary to remain In
the cabinet, Notwithstanding his differences
with his colleagues.
The debate was adjourned at midnight,
when Mr. Ritchie said he hoped Mr.. Bal
four would be able to give the house
definite statement on Wednesday on be-
half OF the entire cabinet though he could
not promise II.
On .he resumption Of the debate Mr..
Chapiin's amendment to the budget bill,
which IL the cause of this sensational po-
litical crisis. will be taken up Sir Henry
Campbell- -Banperunen will demand the right
ef the liberals to know the premier's atti-
tude toward free trade before they sup
port him in the repeal of the, corn tax.
Mr.. Balfour will reply and Mr.. Chamber
lain is also expected TO speak. There are
many members who believe tonight that
the premier will also resign and that
dissolution of the house Is involved but
these rumors lack confirmation the best
opinion being that solution OF the crisis
win be avoided by Mr.. Chamberlain's resIs
nation or by an open declaration that he
IL willing to drop, for the present, his
preferential tartff proposals.
Mr. Chapiin's amendment was scarcely
made today before Il became a secondary
consideration, its defeat was assured Until
midnight the fight, II an undefended strus-
gle could be so described, ragged around
Mr.. Chamberlain ION and vitrioI" is the
only adequate description OF Sir Michael
Hicks-Beach's speech, which started the
revolt Amid intense silence this famous
tory ex-minister extolled the colonial sec
retary's virtues and damned his program.
NJ BLACK Michael" as he Is Familiarity
called was never seen to better advan-
tage. The ministers sat with troubled
faces. Mr.. Balfour looking especially de-
jeeted. Mr. Chamberlain. deserting mis-
usual place paler even than usual,
stretched himself nonchalantly at the end
OF the treasury bench. Throughout the
afternoon he never exchanged a word with
his colleagues. After Mr.. Ritchie had re-
nounced the colonial secretary's ideas. Mr..
\ Chamberlain stalked out of the chamber
\ without even a nod to Mr.. Balfour.
Demand Governments View.
Member after member rose from the
unionist benches some who supported Mr..
Chaplin refused to eat their words with
which they had previously supported the
government when the corn tax was origi-
nally brought IN. others lauded Mr.. Ritchie
for his refusal 10 pander to the spirit of
protection, all demanded that Mr.. Balfour
enlghten them regarding the government's
view.
Sir Henry Fowler, liberal, in an excep-
tionally able speech dwelt on Premier Bal
fours duty TO the nation to ascertain the
opinion OF his colleagues and let the house
and the people know the cabinets decision
regarding a question which was so vital &c
the empire.
After the dinner recess the excitement
was heightened by the absence of both the
colonial secretary and the premier. A bit
ter attack on any tampering with free
trade was made by Sir John Gorst con
servative, who declared that a great por.
ton OF the rising generation in the United
Kingdom was already so degenerate and
poverty-stricken that anything tending tS
increase the price of food would threater
a national disaster.
James Bryce, liberal followed declaring
that the reference to the United State.
made by Mr. Chamberlain and other speak
ers in support OF the protectionist argu
ment was quite erroneous, as American
prosperity was due greatly TO the cheap
ness OF food under a system by which FIRE,
trade prevailed between all the great state
comprising the American nation. The col
oniai secretary's idea would disintegrat,
the empire and produce a network of pro
tective tariffs such that in which Amer
lea was now enmeshed.
Colonial Secretary Denounced.
Then came another sensation. when Hon
Arthur Elliott. secretary OF the treasury
replying on behalf Of the government L
Mr.. Bryoe's inquiry made a bitter attacl
on protectionists and tarifs. He declares
that the policy OF the government wa
clearly exhibited by its decision to revok
the corn tax, which EavOred OF protection
Il ask the house." he said, seriously I
consider what this country has 10 gain b
giving up its position OF being a country O
cheap Imports. i am sure that the NOR
the people inquire into the subject IN
more they will ind IL is essential 10 IN