The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-16

threatened OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sec-
Rotary Not Of q Compromising Nature.
Special Cable Despatch TO TIE SUN.
LONDON, Aug. l5.No English statesman
or newspaper, in discussing the political
adjournment of Parliament has shown
sufficient patriotism or breadth OF view
to deal with the situation in non-partisan
spirit.
The chief utterance of the week has been
an extremely outspoken and well-written
leader in the Standard, which has attracted
wide attention within and without Parlia-
ment. It's whole purport, however. il
sorrowful lament that Mr.. Chamberlain,
by his unprecedented course, has dis
rupted the Unionist party, and makes a
grave appeal to him to withdraw or modify
his programme. 1t is evident from the
first line to the last of the Standards very
able article, that the idea Of any consdera-
tion of the national welfare being superior
to party loyalty has no existence in the
writer's mind.
An objectionable crime in English public
life Is partisan secession. and now that IL
is proved that Mr. Chamberlain protection
issue involves that extreme depart ure the
cutlery OF horror which it provokes is to
the outside observer absurd and amusing.
IL has eliminated in the demand for a com
promise that there must he no tax on food.
MIR. Chamberlain is told that he may tax
manufactures lightly, chiefly for revenue
and in order to create a weapon to prevent
such competitors as Germany from imposing
fha
unionist party will be kept intact by avoid
ing the sedtious principle Of protection.
IL Mr.. Chamberlain were a politician OF
ordinary calibre. it is probable that he
would yield to these peremptory demands
for modification Of his programme. He
has not committed himself to any sweeping
protection scheme. mild revenue tariff
might commend itself to the country with
out the necessity for an extensive propa-
ganda Moreover, the pressure which will
be brought to bear upon the Colonial Score
tary in the next few weeks will be something
terrific, but Mr. Chamberlain has never
shown himself to be of a compromising
nature. He believes emphatioally in a
complete revision of the fiscal plan Of the
Empire. Those who know him best have
Nv uOuoI tiihl lie Us prepared W sldHu OF
fall upon that issue.
Even II he should YIELD the matter has
gone too far for any suppression OF the
question now before the country. The
protection sentiment ia much stronger
among the rank and Ale OF the Conservative
party than its leaders imagine. The growth
Of these syInpathies has been rapid in the
past few years and has not been confined TO
the Unionist voters, although the Liberal
party. or what passes a. that party, is sup
posed to be Incorporating for free trade.
Premier Balfours utterances this week
make IL clear that the present Government
will not propose any legislation in the pres
ent Parliament, no matter what the result
OF the investigation may be. This strength
ems the superstition that there will be gem
eral election in the spring The dissension
In the Cabinet is so pronounced that it will
be a matter Of difficulty to maintain the
status quo beyond the usual N november con-
ference.
Meantime, however, the discussion will
have become general throughout the coun-
try, Mr.. Chamberlain will have made his
October speeches, and the situation will
have grown considerably clearer.