The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-16

MIR. CHAMBERLAIN INDICATES OPEN
ING OF THE QUESTION.
Recommends Tariff Retaliation When
Home Country Are Threatened.

LONDON, May 15-Addressing his con-
stituents at Birmingham, tonight, Colonial
Secretary Chamberlain made a speech
which seems to foreshadow the direct rails
ing Of the question of free trade versus pro-
lection at the next general election.
Mr.. Chamberlain's unusual reticence and
his absence from Parliament and the po-
htical arena since he returned from South
Africa have been the occasion of consid-
cradle comment, as has also the fact that
he took no part In the heated discussions
excited by Mr.. Ritchie's budget and the
remission OF the grain tax. In to-night's
pronouncement probably will be found an
explanation of this. attitude; ii at least
shows a variance of opinion with Premier
Balfour's speech of to-day on the abolition
OF the grain duty.
For him. MIR. Chamberlain said, local
questions were comparatively unimportant
beside the great imperialist policy on which
the fate or the empire depended namely
whether We stand together one free nation
against all the world, or whether we shall
fall into separate states, selfshly seeking
their own interests and losing the advan-
tages that unity alone can give"
In a passing reference to home rule Mr.
Chamberlain said that if separation began
with home rule, the empire would dissolve
into ITS component atoms, but IL he could
believe that the opposition party frankly
Ca
first to sing .'Nunc Demittis"
The colonial secretary proceeded strongly
TO urge the necessity, in order to preserve
the great empire, that the trade of the col
onfes should be secured. Canada had
offered exceptional advantages, he said.
which Great Britain did not dare to accent
because of the narrow Interpretation of the
doctrine or free trade, the policy of dicta-
ton, and interference by foreign powers
Mr. Chamberlain said he was Justified by
the Delief that Great Britain was so
welded to its fiscal system that it could
not defend Its colonies. This was a posi-
ton not intended by the pioneers of free
trade, who, II they were alive to-day,
would agree to treaty of preference and
reciprocity with the empires children
The speaker said he believed that an en-
tirely wrong Interpretation had been placed
on the doctrine of free trade, but that the
country ought not to be bound by this, and
II should not hesitate TO resort TO retalia-
ton. If necessary, wherever the interests
between the colonies and the home country
were threatened. Mr.. Chamberlain avowed
himself free-trader, but he objected to
the artificial and narrow Interpretation of
free trade. He pointed out that Golden
had made, and that Bright had approved. a
preferential treaty with France. and
added
There are two alternatives before YOU:
first. to maintain the free-trade policy in
all its severity. although il is repudiated
by every other nation and your colonies;
second to insist that we be not bound nv
any purely technical definition of free
trade. While we seek the one chief object
the free interchange of commerce between
ourselves and all the nations of the world
we will nevertheless recover our freedom
resume the power Of negotiating, and. ii
necessary. retaliation"
In conclusion the colonial secretary said
he desired that the discussion of this sub
ject should be open. 1t was an issue grayer
in its consequence than mere local dis
putes. mistake in legislation could be
corrected, he said, but a mistake In the i'm
perial policy was irretrievable Personally
he did not think a general election very
near, but, whether near or distant. the is.
sue would depend on whether the peonIe
had IL in their hearts to do all that was
necessary. even II IL occasionally went
against their prejuduces. to Consolidate ar
empire which could only be maintained nv
relations of interest as well as by relations
of sentiment.