Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-11
BALFOUR SAVES
CHAMBERLAIN
Relieves Him Of Any Necessity for
Reslguiug,
CRISIS HAS BEEN AVERTED.
Premier Accomplished His Purpose
without Committing Government
10 Free Trade or Protection.

difficulty In the cabinet, relieving Colo
NAL Secretary Chamberlain Of uAy ne
oesslty for resigning and for the mo-
ment averted a crlss. Mr.. Balfour ac-
complshed this without committing
the government either to protection or
free trade, though the effect Of his
speech viii generally be taken to mean
that the tariff issue Is to be relieved for
the present
Henry Chapllns amendment, which
gave rise TO the most interesting de-
bate in the present parliament. was de-
feated by the majority OF 89G votes,
composed OF Unionists, Liberals and
IRISH members. The minority who sup
ported Mr. Chaplln's amendment were
almost all followers Of the govern
ment, while many OF the Conservative
party abstained from voting
Ii was half past 10 o'clock tonigh,
when Premier Balfour sprang to his
feet to reply to the taunts Of the oppo-
sltion ana appeals from his own party.
The premier was loudly cheered. He
had scarcely begun to deal with Mr..
Chaplin's amendment before he was
interrupted with a hurricane Of APP
plause at the entry Of Mr. Chamber
lain, who had been absent hitherto
throughout the evening. The colonial
secretary dropped into his accustomed
place. The house was packed with
peers, members Of the house and spec
tators as II has not been since the days
Of home rule
In a whimsical vein Mr., Balfour ex-
planned that the only reason that the
corn tax was put on was because the
government wanted money, and the
only reason 1t was taken off was be-
cause the government wanted money
no longer Reyerting TO the charges
Of vacillaton made against him, the
premier took on tone Of unusual We
hemence, He declared that he himself
though believer In free trade (Which
statement met with loud applause), did
not regard it as a fetish, and he had
an absolute open mind regarding the
necessity for any alterations IN a sys-
TEN which was founded 10 suit condi-
tons of fifty years ago
He refused not only to make a state
ment OF any flnallty upon such an i'm
portant question but he also refused TO
compel his colleagues TO conform to
a standard OF opinion upon which him
self had an open mind. He admitted
that differences OF opinion existed with
In the cabinet but these were not Sc
rious enough to cause the resignation
of any member
Mr.. Ralfour made an impassioned
plea, enforced by the precedents OF fric-
ton in Mr.. Gladstone's ministry for al
Ips. INN rlta y4vanHfIr rnfgin
mind upon a question 80 difficult and
SO superior 70 any party issues. The
speaker did not believe the country
would ever return to the old protection
systcm, and no tax on food was ever
imposed without the full assent Of the
working classes, They were confront
ed. however, continued the premier, by
three great phenomena-huge tariff
walls against the United Kingdom, the
growth OF trusts, and tho desire of the
colonies for closer fiscal union with the
mother country These factors could
not be ignored.
lie maintained that the method Of
starting a public discussion was the
only way to deal with these phenomena,
though he did not commit himself TO
Nj. Chamberlain's more advanced pro-
gram II would be folly and rash
ness, he said. TO interfere with the great
systcm which had been In operation
for 20 many years without the most
careful examination and without due
regard for history and the traditions Of
the past. while at the same time they
could not ignore those new problems
which tho ever-changing face OF indus
trial life presented for decision and the
action OF statesmen.
This non-committal speech and APP
peal, made with all the eloquence and
magetism which Mr.. Balfour wields
so successfully, for an open mind in the
cabinet brought forth constant cheer
ing, Throughout Mr., Chamberlain sat
beside the leader OF the house, beaming
with satisfaction.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman. the
Liberal leader. briefly replied, appealing
for an opportunity for the public to
more fully discuss the issue raised He
said one member OF the government
was prepared to make revolution in
the couttry's fiscal system, a question
op which the next general elections
should be decided. THIS appeal elected
no response on the part Of the govern
Ircnt.
The members OF the house trooped
into the lobby TO vote against Henry
Chaplins amendment, the general COM
mont being "Balfour has saved CHAM
bcrlain."
The colonial secretary, himself 1ubl-
lan., said "Our friend, the enevy, is
nonplussed this time"
With the exception Of some irritable
comments, the Unlonist party is great
~ relieved by the outcome of the de-
bate, all the members expressing glad
hess that the crisis Voc passed. at the
sane time believing vat the same
cabinet could not lon. Jntinue 10 en-
brace such opposition on the fiscal
policy Of Great Britain as Colonial Seey.
Chamberlain and Chancellor Of the Elk